Belarusian Schools Enforce Phone-Free Policy from September 1, 2025

In the era of digitization of all spheres of life, a significant educational trend is the restriction on the use of electronic devices in schools. As of September 1, 2025, a new rule will officially come into force in Belarusian schools: "school — a phone-free zone". Although this norm is not directly written into the updated Education Code, it will be implemented simultaneously with its coming into effect, marking the beginning of a new era in the country's educational process.

How the Phone Ban at Schools Will Work

The mechanism for implementing the new rule is quite simple and has already been successfully tested in a number of educational institutions. According to Nikolai Bashko, Head of the Main Department of Education of the Regional Executive Committee, the procedure will look as follows:

• Students hand over mobile devices in the morning upon entering the school
• Gadgets are stored in specially equipped locations under video surveillance
• Designated responsible persons are accountable for the safekeeping of the phones
• After the end of the school day, children receive their devices back

"This topic has already 'ripened' and will finally be brought to its logical conclusion. Currently, explanatory work is being carried out with the parent community and students," notes Nikolai Bashko. It is worth emphasizing that similar practice is already in place in many schools in Minsk. Now the new rule will be officially codified and extended to all educational institutions in the country.

Why the Ban Is Being Introduced: Rationale from Educational Experts

Experts in the field of education put forward several compelling arguments in favor of imposing restrictions on the use of mobile devices in schools:

1. Uncontrolled Information Flow

"The information that a child receives from a phone today is uncontrolled," emphasizes Nikolai Bashko. Unrestricted access to the Internet can negatively affect the learning process, distracting students from educational material.

2. Advantages of Traditional Teaching Methods

According to educational experts, traditional teaching aids demonstrate greater effectiveness. "Visual posters, textbooks, the blackboard, chalk, and live communication contribute more to learning than electronics," asserts Bashko.

3. Development of Social Skills

The absence of gadgets stimulates direct communication among students, which contributes to the development of communication skills, emotional intelligence, and social adaptation.

4. Concentration of Attention

Research shows that the mere presence of a mobile phone—even if switched off—reduces students' concentration and their level of material retention.

International Experience: Belarus Follows Global Trends

Introducing restrictions on the use of mobile phones in schools is not a uniquely Belarusian practice but a global trend. Many countries have already implemented similar measures:

• United Kingdom: a ban on mobile phone use is in effect, and teachers have the right to inspect students' personal belongings
• Austria: from May 1, 2025, a ban applies to students in grades 1 through 8
• Australia: the practice of restricting phone use has been in place for a long time
• France: since 2018, a law has been in force banning mobile phones in schools for children under 15

"Even in Australia, which is quite remote from 'civilization', phones have long been banned in schools," Bashko points out. Many prestigious educational institutions around the world have gone even further, rejecting not only phones but also other electronics—televisions, tablets, computers—in favor of more traditional teaching methods.

Current Status and Transition Period

Before the new rules take effect in Belarusian schools, the following norms apply:

• Mobile phones must be set to silent or vibrate mode during lessons and extracurricular activities
• Gadgets must not be kept in pockets, on desks, or in backpacks, but in a designated location
• During breaks, phone use is permitted only for contacting parents in cases of "urgent necessity"

Educational institutions are now actively preparing for the full implementation of the new system: storage locations for phones are being determined, responsible persons appointed, and explanatory work is being conducted with parents and students.

Societal Debate: Arguments "For" and "Against"

Like any educational reform, the ban on mobile phones in schools provokes active discussion. Among the objections of opponents of the ban, the following can be noted:

• Deprivation of the ability to have emergency communication with parents
• Limiting access to educational mobile applications
• Concerns about potential violations of students' rights

On the other hand, proponents of the ban offer counterarguments:

• In an emergency, the school administration can contact parents
• Educational applications can be used on school computers or at home
• Students often use recording not to protect rights but "for content", staging provocations and breaking rules

The Phone Ban as Part of a Broader Educational Reform

It is important to note that the restriction on the use of mobile devices is just one aspect of a large-scale educational reform to be implemented with the adoption of the new Education Code. Among other significant changes coming into effect on September 1, 2025:

• Banning individual entrepreneurs from participating in the implementation of preschool and special education programs
• Expanding the opportunities for free transportation of students not only to educational institutions but also to sports, cultural, and other events
• Granting pedagogical staff status to foster parents and parent-educators
• Simplifying the admission procedure to supplementary education institutions—now only one legal guardian’s consent is required, not two as before
• Strengthening the responsibility of sponsors of targeted specialist training

Recommendations for Parents and Students

In light of the upcoming changes, experts recommend:

1. For Parents:
   • Discuss the new rules and their significance with your children
   • Reassess your communication protocol with your child during the school day
   • If urgent contact is necessary, reach out to the school administration
2. For Students:
   • Familiarize yourself in advance with the procedure for handing over and retrieving phones
   • Prepare for the educational process without using gadgets
   • Use alternative traditional sources of information

Conclusion

The introduction of a ban on the use of mobile phones in Belarusian schools from September 1, 2025 reflects a global trend of rethinking the role of digital technologies in the educational process. This measure aims to enhance learning efficiency, develop students' social skills, and foster a more mindful approach to the use of digital devices. As experts emphasize, the goal of the restrictions is not to isolate children from technology but to create an optimal educational environment where live communication, critical thinking, and deep immersion in the material are not replaced by superficial interaction with gadgets. The successful implementation of the new rules will require constructive dialogue among all participants in the educational process: teachers, students, parents, and school administrations.