Stop cell phones in class.

  Italian schools today received a circular , signed by the Minister of Education and Merit Giuseppe Valditara , which contains the new rules on the use of smartphones and similar electronic devices in classrooms.

"The interest of male and female students, which we must protect, is to stay in class to learn - says the minister -. A recent fact-finding survey by the VII commission of the Senate has also highlighted the harmful effects that the careless use of electronic devices can have on concentration, memory and the critical spirit of young people. The school must be the place where the talents and creativity of young people are enhanced , not mortified with repeated abuse of mobile phones".

There are no disciplinary sanctions for those who do not respect the rules , because " we appeal to a sense of responsibility ", says Valditara who also invites schools to "guarantee compliance with the rules in force and to promote, if necessary, more stringent additions to the regulations and of the Pacts of educational co-responsibility, to effectively prevent the improper use of these devices".

The use of mobile phones and other electronic devices will in any case be permitted, with the authorization of the teacher , and in compliance with the institute regulations, for educational, inclusive and training purposes, also within the scope of the objectives of the National Digital School Plan (PNSD) and “digital citizenship”.

(Unioneonline/vf)