Schools ‘Rigorously’ Enforcing Phone Policy
The Bermuda Public School System [BPSS] is “enforcing its mobile phone and personal device policy more rigorously” to support “student learning and overall well-being.”
In a letter to parents and guardians, Minister of Education, Senator Crystal Caesar, said, “The Bermuda Public School System [BPSS] remains committed to strengthening both student learning and overall well-being. One of the key concerns we have observed is the increasing amount of time students spend on mobile phones and other personal electronic communication devices [PECDs] during the school day. These devices distract from learning, disrupt the classroom environment, and often negatively impact mental health, peer relationships, and safety due to issues such as social media content, online messaging, and cyberbullying.
“To address this, effective Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the BPSS will be enforcing its mobile phone and personal device policy more rigorously. This means:
- “Mobile phones and devices [including smartwatches, gaming consoles, and Bluetooth accessories] must be turned off and stored away before entering the school building.
- “Devices cannot be turned on again until students leave the building at the end of the school day.
- “The policy applies during the regular school day as well as during afterschool programmes and all co-curricular or extra-curricular activities on school grounds.
“Please note that:
- “Middle and senior school students may continue to use school-approved laptops, Chromebooks, and tablets required for learning.
- “Limited exceptions will be made for students with specialized learning needs or medical requirements.
“We ask for your support in reinforcing these expectations at home. Working together, we can help create safer, calmer, and more focused learning environments for all students.
“I look forward to a successful year ahead and the positive outcomes this policy will bring to our schools and students.”
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Just how long this will last.
“effective Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the BPSS will be enforcing its mobile phone and personal device policy more rigorously.”
You can drop the “more rigorously” and leave the rest.
Let’s be real – much of society is too addicted to the devices so it’s fair to let the adults lead by example in the school environment.
If student learning and well-being is deemed so important, then this no phones policy should apply to teachers and staff for their well-being too.
A no phones policy for teachers and staff means:
- they will be less distracted when teaching or in the classroom
- their mental health will be positively impacted
- their relationships with colleagues will improve with more engagement
- they can avoid the social media safety issues.
“this no phones policy should apply to teachers and staff for their well-being too.”
No argument here.
I think this is a very good sign. The students will balk but this stance will separate the ‘kids’ from the adults.
I agree with you that there should be more controls on teachers’ use of phones in school time. Perhaps they can use their phones in the staff room at breaks but not in front of the students. Adults have more going on in their lives that might necessitate their having access to their phones during the course of the day.
Pleased to see this. Phones have become a distraction and there is no need for the students to have them during the school day. By no means will it solve all issues, and I doubt it is meant to but it is a step in the right direction.
While I understand the need for this, with the increased shootings and violence happening, what happens when they need to call for help but can’t? Turning them off maybe too much. Maybe get the wifi that only allows calls on their phones but doesn’t support apps such as Tiktok, IG or Snapchat. Turning phones off entirely sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.
One of the best arguments I’ve ever heard regarding cell phone usage in schools is that every student who has a cell phone, essentially has access to a computer in their hands.
Only a few years ago, students were all being asked learn remotely in which a computer was required to do so. This was the expectation. Now the bar is once again being moved, ALTogether.
To encourage growth and proper development (decision-making), more focus should be on ‘Proper Practice’. How can students utilize a tool (cell phone) to improve and foster intelligent learning experiences?
While this may not work for everybody because people of all ages have tendencies to misuse tools. However, the collective should be able to benefit from such a useful tool.
I agree 100 percent with this. In Jamaica they’re banning edges and that’s something we also need to look into. Students need to focus on their school work and not be distracted by these everyday simple things…