Elisabeth Borne announces that he wants to generalize the real ban on laptops in colleges at the start of the next school year – Liberation

All college students could very soon be forced to put their phone at the entrance to their establishment. The Minister of National Education, Elisabeth Borne expressed Tuesday April 9 during an interview at Sud Radio, then the next day in the Senate, of her wish to see « The generalized digital break to all colleges at the next school year ». This device follows the recommendations of the Commission « Screens » installed on January 10, 2024 at the request of the President of the Republic, whose report recommended The ban on mobile phones before 11 years oldand a strict limitation of access to social networks for those under 15.

Since September 2024, around 200 establishments in the territory Experience with this « Digital break »the total ban on mobile phones inside their walls. Children are forced to deposit their precious device in a locker, a case or a pocket, arriving in class, and thus not to have it on them. « All feedback is very positive, especially on improving the school climate »assured the minister against the senators.

In theory, since The law of August 3, 2018,, « The use of a mobile phone or any other terminal electronic communication equipment by a student is prohibited in nursery schools, elementary schools and colleges and during any activity related to the teaching which takes place outside their enclosure ». Thus, in colleges, laptops are supposed to be extinguished and stored in the bags. But in practice, many teenagers do not hesitate to draw it during their course hours, in the corridors or in the courtyard, more or less discreetly.

At the microphone of Sud-Radio, Elisabeth Borne assured that the device of the « Digital break » had harvested « Lots of membership of parents and teachers ». The deployment methods should, according to its response to senators, be left « To the assessment of school heads in connection with the departmental councils ». «  »Depending on the choice of modality, this can be lockers or pockets, the cost per establishment may be zero or a few thousand euros».

Contacted by Releasethe departments of France responded by press release « take note of (the) position  » of the Minister of Education. « But it is important to emphasize that, in the field, the feedback is very moderate »takes up the association of elected officials which represents the departments. While affirming « Particularly sharing the objective of limiting the use of mobile phones in schools, for the sake of good educational climate »the association warns the government. Two principles « Essential » According to her must be respected: « That the installation decision remains to the free assessment of the establishments, and that no financial participation is imposed on the departments. »