Education Minister calls for mobile phone ban over gambling worries

Due to worries about students getting involved in online gambling during school breaks, Education Minister Athena Michaelidou is calling for a ban on mobile phones in secondary schools. This proposal will be discussed in Parliament on Wednesday, as the Ministry aims to tackle the negative effects of phone use on students.

Michaelidou pointed out that there have been troubling reports of students gambling and engaging in other inappropriate activities during recess, raising concerns about their mental and physical health. “We need to follow other countries and ban mobile phones in schools,” she said, noting that primary schools already have this rule in place.

Under the new plan, students would need to keep their phones off and in their bags, even during breaks, with use allowed only for educational purposes when teachers allow it. The Minister explained that while technology is important in classrooms, mobile phones often distract students and prevent them from interacting with teachers and classmates.

The need for this ban was highlighted by a recent incident where a student’s phone started smoking. Michaelidou emphasized that mobile phone misuse, including online challenges among students, is becoming a bigger problem.

The Ministry wants to create a healthier school environment without distractions and inappropriate behavior online. After the discussion in Parliament, the proposal will move forward for further consideration.

In addition, the Ministry addressed concerns from parents at private schools about rising tuition fees, clarifying that schools cannot simply increase fees without following specific rules.