Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
Finnish schools have introduced controversial new rules. Students returning from summer break will need to be mindful of their electronic devices.
Finland had long been known for its high-quality schooling. But the Nordic country’s rating recently fell in a ranking that measured how well 15-year-olds knew mathematics, reading and writing, and natural sciences.
The new rule is an amendment to the nation’s Basic Education Act. It bans the use of mobile phones for all school students under 17 during class.
The rule was passed in April. Phones and other mobile devices can only be used in class with a teacher’s permission. For example, devices could support learning or meet health needs.
But the Finnish National Agency for Education are calling for even stricter rules. They have asked for mobile phones to be banned during meal times and restricted during breaks.
