Schoolchildren in Pridnestrovie may be prohibited from using phones during classes

The PMR Law “On Education” proposes to establish a ban on the use of gadgets by schoolchildren (cell phones, smartphones, tablets and others) during lessons. Exceptions will be cases where there is a threat to the life and health of schoolchildren themselves or employees of educational organizations, as well as other emergency cases. According to the authors of the law-in-draft, such measures will help schoolchildren focus on the educational process and improve their academic results. The law-in-draft was considered today in the first reading in the course of the meeting of the relevant parliamentary Committee.

According to the explanatory note, a ban on the use of gadgets in schools is in force in Azerbaijan, Greece, Tajikistan, France and other countries today. Similar changes to legislation were adopted in the Russian Federation in December 2023.

The legislative initiative, developed by deputies of the parliamentary Committee on Education, Public Associations and the Media, proposes to consolidate in the relevant law some rights and responsibilities of participants in the educational process. Thus, the Law “On Education” may contain norms that will give educational organizations the authority to establish discipline requirements in the classroom and rules of conduct within the framework of internal regulations. Disciplinary measures will be applied to students as well as the rules of residence in dormitories and boarding schools in case of violation of these requirements and rules.

Deputies proposed to enshrine in the law “On Education” the right of teachers to respect human dignity, protection from all forms of physical and mental violence, and personal insults. Teachers will be able to appeal to a commission to resolve disputes between participants in educational relations in case of violation or infringement of their rights. Or send an appeal to the management of the educational organization to apply disciplinary sanctions to students who violate or infringe on the rights of teaching staff.

The consolidation of such provisions at the legal level will be able to improve the status of the teaching profession and ensure compliance with discipline in educational institutions, according to the authors of the law-in-draft. The deputy corps will consider in the first reading the draft law on amendments and additions to the PMR Law “On Education” in the course of the next plenary meetings.