By: Nino Aclan

ALMOST 8 out of 10 Filipinos support a ban of cellphones in schools, a Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Senator Win Gatchalian found.

Based on the results of the survey conducted from June 17-24, 2024, 76% of 1,200 adult respondents nationwide agree with having a cellphone ban inside schools. Thirteen percent said they disagree, while 11% said they cannot say whether they agree or disagree.

An overwhelming majority of Filipinos across all socioeconomic classes also support a cellphone ban in schools, with the strongest support from Class ABC (80%). Seventy-six percent of respondents from D support a cellphone ban in schools, while 71% from class E support the proposal.

Across different locations in the country, a vast majority support banning cellphones in schools, with around eight out of 10 respondents in the National Capital Region (80%), Balance Luzon (79%), and Mindanao (81%) agreeing to the proposal. Six out of 10 (61%) of respondents from Visayas, on the other hand, agree with banning cellphones in schools.

For Gatchalian, results of the survey show that Filipinos see the benefits of imposing a ban on cellphone use in schools, especially because distraction from mobile phones in schools is linked to poorer learner performance. 

According to an analysis of the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) by the Senate Committee on Basic Education, eight out of 10 Filipino learners aged 15 reported being distracted in class by using their smartphones, while another eight out of ten reported being distracted by other students’ smartphone use.

Last June, Gatchalian filed the Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act (Senate Bill No. 2706), which seeks to prohibit learners’ use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets from Kindergarten to senior high school within school premises during school hours.

“Malinaw na suportado ng ating mga kababayan ang ating panukala na ipagbawal ang paggamit ng mga cellphones sa mga paaralan, lalo’t na’t ang paggamit nito sa oras ng klase ay maaaring makapinsala sa kanilang pag-aaral. Kaya naman patuloy nating isinusulong ang panukalang batas na magbabawal sa paggamit ng cellphone sa oras ng klase,” said Gatchalian, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.