Parliament's Education and Culture Committee has given its support to the government's proposal that mobile phones should only be used in Finnish schools under certain circumstances.
This backing follows a similar decision made last month by the legislature's Constitutional Law Committee.
If the bill is passed into law, it would mean that, as a general rule, the use of phones during lessons in primary and secondary school classes would be prohibited.
However, the use of devices could be permitted with special permission from the teacher — such as for educational purposes or health-related reasons.
Schools would also have the freedom to decide on the use and storage of mobile devices during other parts of the school day, such as breaks and lunch. These policies would need to be included in the school's code of conduct.
In its ruling, the education committee noted the importance of schools making the rules and regulations clear, but added that restricting the use of mobile phones in schools is "essential".
The committee also recommended that the government clarifies in the bill that phones and other mobile devices can be used as a teaching aid.
The proposed law change aims to improve students' ability to focus and learn during the school day, and also to strengthen the powers teachers and principals have in regard to the use of mobile phones.
The All Points North podcast looked into the government's plans last year. Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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