Skip to main content

Cyprus to ban mobile use in schools

1 min Mena Today

Cyprus is to ban mobile phone use in schools, the education minister said on Wednesday, saying they were too much of a distraction for students and led to anti-social behaviour.

Cyprus will follow several European states in enacting a ban following recommendations from the U.N. agency UNESCO © Mena Today 

Cyprus will follow several European states in enacting a ban following recommendations from the U.N. agency UNESCO © Mena Today 

Cyprus is to ban mobile phone use in schools, the education minister said on Wednesday, saying they were too much of a distraction for students and led to anti-social behaviour.

Authorities plan to introduce the ban once it is discussed with parliament, Minister Athena Michaelidou said.

Cyprus will follow several European states in enacting a ban following recommendations from the U.N. agency UNESCO, she said.

"It's clear that the use of a mobile phone distracts students from their lessons, but primarily, its linked to an increase in anti-social behaviour," Michaelidou said.

Students will not be banned from bringing their phones to school but they will not be able to switch them on, she said.

Official data shows that just over 1.4 million mobile phones are operating in Cyprus - more than its population of just under 1 million people in government-controlled areas.

Reporting by Michele Kambas

Related

Iran

Jordan under Iranian attack

Iran announced a fresh wave of strikes on Sunday against four Gulf countries and Jordan, a day after its first round, saying the attacks were retaliation for overnight American bombardment. Tehran said the strikes targeted US military installations in the region.

Israel

Israel confirms October 27 election

Israel is set to hold a national election on October 27, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, its first since Hamas' 2023 attack and the wars that ensued in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

Iran

Third night of US strikes hits over 300 targets in Iran

The United States carried out fresh strikes on Iranian missile and air defense systems Sunday, also targeting small Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) speed boats at several locations around the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported, citing a senior US official.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Mena banner 4

To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.