Luxembourg schools impose total ban on phones: what's changed since Easter

After the Easter holidays, students of fundamental education (enseignement fondamental) in Luxembourg are returning to the classroom with an important innovation: a ban on the use of mobile phones and other connected devices has come into force. This applies not only to lessons, but also to all areas related to school activities: playgrounds, changing rooms, canteens, after-school care centres (maisons relais) and so on.

Some 56,000 pupils must now either keep their phones completely switched off and hidden in a rucksack or leave them at home altogether.

Exceptions are possible: if the gadget is needed for educational purposes under the supervision of a teacher, or for medical needs - with a certificate. As Joël Mischaux, head of the College of Directors of Fundamental Education, explains, the aim is not punitive, but educational: "We want to create a calmer atmosphere in schools.

Some municipalities - such as Differdange - were ahead of the reform and banned the devices back in September. In the capital, smartphones have long been allowed to be used only in emergency situations.

The next step is high schools. From 2 June, after Trinity, secondary schools will also start enforcing the rule of physical separation between teenagers and phones during classes.

So the government is gradually forming a unified policy to reduce the impact of digital devices in the school environment - in the hope that this will help restore concentration, attention and live communication among students.