Brazilian School Cell Phone Ban Faces Compliance Challenges

Brazil's Cell Phone Ban in Schools: A Survey Reveals Compliance Challenges Brazil recently implemented a law prohibiting cell phone use in schools. While intended to improve learning and classroom focus, a new Equidade.info survey, conducted in partnership with the Parliamentary Front for Education, reveals significant challenges in enforcement. The study, which included 1,057 students and 257 teachers across 146 schools nationwide, found that 63% of high school students still bring their phones to school daily. More than half of these students admit to using their phones during class. "The law is quite restrictive," explains Paloma Rodrigues, a reporter for G1. "It only allows electronic devices for pedagogical purposes under teacher supervision." However, the reality is different. Many students use their phones for communication with family, messaging friends, listening to music, and even looking up answers during class. The survey also highlights the disparity in opinion between students and teachers. While 40% of teachers surveyed are completely against cell phone use in schools, only 18% of students share this view. Conversely, 30% of students are in favor of allowing phones. The lack of adequate storage for phones is another challenge; only 2% of students reported having access to designated storage. Despite the challenges, the law is viewed positively by many teachers, suggesting a need for improved implementation and communication to bridge the gap between policy and practice.