76% of Pinoys support phone ban in schools – poll

MANILA, Philippines — For being a source of distraction linked to poor learner performance, almost eight of 10 Filipinos support banning cellphones in schools, according to a Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

The June 17-24 survey showed that 76 percent of 1,200 adult respondents nationwide agreed with banning phones in schools.

Respondents who disagreed were at 13 percent while 11 percent were uncertain.

“Our kababayans have clearly supported our proposal to ban the use of cellphones in schools, especially since their use during class can harm their studies,” said Gatchalian, chair of the Senate committee on basic education.

Based on the Senate panel’s analysis of the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment, eight of 10 Filipino learners aged 15 reported being distracted by their smartphones during class.

Eight of 10 learners were also distracted by other students’ smartphone usage.

In June, Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 2706 or the Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act, which seeks to prohibit basic education learners’ use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets within school premises during school hours.