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Download AudioEducation Minister Erica Stanford says a ban on mobile phones in classrooms will allow some exemptions if they’re required for health reasons or they’re a substitute for laptops or ipads.
Ms Stanford yesterday announced changes National promised on the campaign trail will kick in at the start of the new school year, including that all students in years 0 – 8 will be taught one hour a day in each of reading, writing and maths..
She says for some akonga and their whānau a mobile phone is a more affordable learning tool.
“We’ve built in some exclusions for when students need them for learning purposes as directed by the teacher so that would cover that instance also if they need them for health reasons or for learning difficulties, so there’s sufficient flexibility built into the system,” she says.
Minister Stanford says many kura Māori already exceed the required one hour a day for each core subject area.
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