School leaders want say in proposed phone ban

Dorte Andreas, head of the Danish School Leaders Association, criticizes the government’s plan to enforce a mobile phone ban in schools by law, stating it conflicts with an earlier agreement to reduce central governance of public schools. Almost a year ago, parliament favored more autonomy for local decision-making in schools. Andreas is concerned that a legal ban will preempt existing measures taken by many schools, where 84 percent already have a mobile policy. She understands the government’s concerns about mobile phones affecting school life and student well-being and is not opposed to phone-free schools but emphasizes the value of involving students in shaping mobile policies.