8 out of 10 Filipinos support banning cellphones in schools

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly eight in 10 Filipinos, or 76 percent, support a proposal to ban cellphones in schools, according to a Pulse Asia poll commissioned by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

The survey, conducted from June 17 to 24, involved 1,200 adult respondents from across the country.

“A large majority of Filipinos from all socioeconomic classes also support a ban on cellphones in schools, with Class ABC having the strongest support (80 percent). Seventy-six percent of respondents from Class D support a ban on cellphones in schools, while 71 percent from Class E support the proposal,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

READ: Cell Phone Ban for K-12 Students and Teachers in All Schools

The survey also found that 80 percent of respondents from the National Capital Region agree with the proposed ban, as do 79 percent from Balance Luzon, 61 percent from Visayas and 81 percent from Mindanao.

On the other hand, 13 percent of respondents said they disagreed with it, while another 11 percent said they could not say whether they were against or in favor of the proposal.

Clear benefits

According to Gatchalian, the survey results show that Filipinos see benefits from such a ban, as distraction caused by cellphone use in schools is linked to lower student achievement.

He cited an analysis of the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment by the Senate Committee on Basic Education, which he chairs, which found that eight in 10 Filipino students aged 15 said they were distracted by smartphones in class, while another eight in 10 said they were distracted by other students using smartphones.

Exceptions

In June, Gatchalian filed the Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act (Senate Bill No. 2706), which seeks to ban the use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets during classes in primary and secondary schools.

“It is clear that our compatriots support our proposal to ban the use of mobile phones in schools, especially during school hours, because it affects their learning. That is why we will continue to press for the introduction of this measure,” he said.

Gatchalian previously said he believes cellphones limit the time students spend reading, studying and socializing, noting that they waste a lot of time on social media.

He added that his bill is part of his efforts to encourage more Filipinos to read books.

In his justification for the bill, Gatchalian admitted that mobile devices and electronic gadgets can be effective educational tools, although they can also be distracting, which can have a negative impact on the learning process.

However, some exceptions have been made for the use of mobile phones, such as during classroom presentations or educational activities in the classroom or in emergencies, field trips and activities outside of school. Students with medical conditions that require the use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets have also been exempted.

Rogue public and private schools will be penalized by the Department of Education, while students will be penalized according to the school’s policies.