June 12, 2024 - Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte expressed her support for a Senate bill seeking to prohibit the use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets in schools during class hours. The announcement was made during the celebration of the 126th Independence Day.
The Vice President, however, emphasized that regulations should allow for exceptions, such as when a gadget use becomes necessary for learning, teaching, and emergency reasons. "We’re okay with the banning of gadgets for personal use, subject to exceptions. I understand and have read the draft that there are exceptions, particularly if the gadget is used for learning and teaching,” she said.
Earlier this week, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian filed Senate Bill No. 2706, or the Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act. The bill mandates the Department of Education to establish guidelines for the prohibition, which covers learners from kindergarten to senior high school in both public and private institutions, including teachers.
Duterte suggested that guidelines can be established in such a way that the ban does not hinder a learner’s access to school lessons, or during emergency cases.
While acknowledging the potential of the devices for learning and teaching, Gatchalian emphasized its negative impact on academic performance, especially among basic education learners, and the prevalence of cyberbullying.
He cited an analysis from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022, which indicates that 8 in 10 learners aged 15 reported being distracted by smartphone use during class. This data underscores the need for the proposed legislation, while also highlighting the importance of exceptions for educational and emergency purposes.