CMETB considering ban on smartphones in schools

Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) schools are working to consider a separate circular issued by the Department on the use of smartphones and tablets in schools.
The matter, says CEO John Kearney, at this stage, will be down to how each individual school manages the situation.
“It has given advice to schools on how to consult with parents and students about it. It will be an issue for each individual school to consider, some will be quite liberal on it, others already have more strict guidelines on such matters. It's about what works best for the schools and we will work with them on that,” Mr Kearney told the Celt.
The circular comes at a time when there is proposed legislation to ban the use of mobile phones in schools outright.
However, the Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) Clive Byrne has said, while the Education (Digital Devices in School) Bill 2018 was well-intentioned and timely, enforcing it could be a major problem.
The bill proposes a code of behaviour setting standard rules for the use of digital devices in schools across the country. It includes a ban on the use of mobile phones during school hours and proposals to punish children who breach the ban by confiscating said devices.
The bill was proposed by Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell and appeared before the Seanad last week.