MANILA — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has introduced Senate Bill (SB) No. 2706, known as the “Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act,” aimed at prohibiting the use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets during class hours in schools across the Philippines.
The bill targets students from kindergarten to senior high school in both public and private educational institutions, as well as teachers, to minimize distractions and enhance academic performance.
Gatchalian cited data from the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which highlighted that a significant majority of 15-year-old students (80%) reported being distracted by smartphone use during class. This distraction is linked to a decline in academic performance, with decreases noted in key subjects: 9.3 points in mathematics, 12.2 points in science, and 15.04 points in reading.
The bill proposes several exceptions, including:
- Learning-related exceptions: For activities such as classroom presentations and class-based learning tasks.
- Health and well-being exceptions: For students with health conditions requiring the use of electronic devices.
- Risk management exceptions: For emergencies, perceived threats, and during off-campus activities like field trips.
The legislation also mandates the Department of Education to establish guidelines for implementing these restrictions. Non-compliance by schools and students will result in appropriate sanctions.
Gatchalian underscored the need for such a bill by pointing to the broader issue of smartphone distractions in classrooms globally, referencing a 2023 report from UNESCO which recommends stricter regulations on mobile phone use in schools.
The report noted that only a small fraction of countries have laws or policies in place to restrict such use in educational settings.
(el Amigo/MNM)
