Sligo schools to see restrictions and bans on mobile phones implemented from September

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Following on from a circular issued to schools in June, all primary and post primary schools will be required to implement a policy banning or restricting the use of and access to personal mobile phones by pupils in all recognised schools for the duration of the school day.

Primary schools are required to implement a policy to ban the use of and access to mobile phones during the school day. Post-primary schools must implement a policy to restrict mobile phone use during the school day, supported by practical funding for implementation.

Councillor Thomas Walsh has welcomed confirmation from Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee that from the new school year, primary schools must implement a ban on phones in schools, and a restriction on phones in post-primary schools to ensure that our schools are phone-free zones. Budget 2025 provided for €9m funding to help post-primary schools to put in place appropriate phone storage solutions.

Cllr Walsh said, “As announced in Budget 2025, schools can use this funding to purchase whatever phone storage solution they prefer. Some examples of solutions already being used in schools include: lockable storage solutions and collecting phones at the school office. Schools are not obliged to apply for this funding.”

The circular outlining the terms, criteria and application mechanism applying to the funding scheme has been shared with schools and is available online. This guidance outlines that the funding can only be used for mobile phone storage solutions.

Cllr Walsh added, “expenditure under this funding scheme can take the form of whatever secure storage solution the school prefers. Schools must adhere to procurement requirements in acquiring the preferred solution.”