The rule will be adopted in all primary schools, vocational schools and general upper-secondary schools in the city in the autumn. Such a rule is already in force in some schools.

The shift is the consequence of an initiative backed by 12 city councillors that was approved by the Education Division in May.

Korhonen told the newspaper that schools will also be allowed to introduce smartphone deposits. He assured that the practice will be enforced in co-operation with students and guardians, meaning that no students will be forced to deposit their smartphone for the duration of the class.

Ultimately, the use of smart devices in school is governed by the basic education act.

“The act states that no devices can be used to cause disruption in class and that teachers have the opportunity to prohibit the use of mobile phones or any other devices that disrupt teaching,” he reminded.

The current legislation, he added, provides schools with the necessary tools to tackle the issue.

Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz (SFP) is expected to present a bill for restricting the use of smartphones in schools by year-end. He has yet to shed light on the nature of the restrictions.

Korhonen on Tuesday also reminded that the approaches will vary depending on the school: the use of smartphones makes sense in high schools and vocational schools because some learning materials are digital. Smartphones have been found particularly disruptive in the three last years of primary education.

“It’s something that’s related to people’s growth and development, namely adolescence. Teachers face the most challenges in instruction in the last three years of basic education,” he said to Helsingin Sanomat.

Aleksi Teivainen – HT