€9 million to be spent on “electronic pouches for schools”

screamer

my childs school has a no phone policy, doesnt stop them…… phones have no place in schools, just used to bully. There will be some amount of aggressive teenagers being seperated from their phones, but i fully support the ban.

Francie Barrett

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122677230#Comment_122677230

It won't work and will cost more than estimated.

zell12

4fm caller: "when you are ready for your child to look at porn then you are ready for your child to have a smartphone"

amacca

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122678649#Comment_122678649

If you thought she was doing well before this you should examine some of the shite that went on before this

Jinglejangle69

Why aren’t usage of smartphones just banned in classrooms and if you use them you’re suspended?

Is there no rules and obedience in schools anymore??

hotmail.com

Green Party senator tonight calling it a ludicrous matter.

Norma Foley could find herself in trouble over this fiasco.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122681847#Comment_122681847

Obviously she won't.

It is such a deeply stupid matter to take issue with. It is a tiny, tiny part of the budget and would not be usefully used for anything else.

hotmail.com

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122681892#Comment_122681892

€9 million euro?

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122681912#Comment_122681912

Yes 9M€ is absolutely nothing. It is 0.08% of the education budget and it is capital expenditure not current expenditure.

I feel like this is a huge issue when it comes to reasonable discussions on government spending. It is literally a tiny amount of money.

amacca

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122681892#Comment_122681892

Would not be usefully used for anything else??? Really?

I

amacca

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122681806#Comment_122681806

Now You have it....that's why a matter that could be sorted locally if schools had any real authority and haven't been hamstrung slowly over time by the powers that be is now being legislated for by a new phylum of gombeen from kerry

That's why every subject needs 40% minimum coursework without any resourcing or appreciable reduction in content in at least some (if not all) of the new specifications I have looked at.

Etc etc.....many posters are saying it....its an attention diverting headline grab before a GE...O have to be seen to be doing something/anything....I can't help feeling it would be wonderful if it backfired.

And it's still not as bad as some of the nonsense ruari "legacy" quinn was responsible for.

Andrewf20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122681981#Comment_122681981

I reckon this could be the best bang for the buck idea going with this money. A few people criticize it and yet they are thin on alternative ideas to try deal with this issue.

Loafing Oaf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122681892#Comment_122681892

Could actually backfire on the opposition: the not particularly enaged voter in the steeet might be thinking "Well if this is the biggest issue they can identify with the budget, it must be pretty good overall"…

thereiver

Theres probably alot of pressure on parents to buy a smartphone eg all my friends have one I think teachers are complaining they need more money spent on basic resources it would be nice if politicians would consult with teachers before spending money

SouthWesterly

My local school(1600 kids) has yonder pouches. Phones get turned off and locked in them at first class. Spot check done during the day. If the kid forgets the pouch they hand phone into the office.

If caught with a phone during the day there are penalties.

They open the pouch on the way out the door going home

One eyed Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122681731#Comment_122681731

To be fair I think you have hit the nail on the head as the basis upon which I was making the assessment - compared to her predecessors at least, she is doing well, or was at least. I’ll admit to being biased in that I agreed with most of her previous decisions, and I do like the fact that she doesn’t entertain Aodhán Ó Riordan’s bullshìt, but on this one I’m at a loss to explain the rationale behind the decision to waste €9m on a course of action that is wholly unnecessary and unworkable both in principle and in practice.

If I’m not wrong, I think you’re a teacher so it may resonate with you but the whole initiative reminds me of a conversation I had some years ago with another parent and at the time too they were giving it welly about the risks to children’s mental health of mobile phones, social media and screen time and all the rest of it, when I interrupted them inquiring as to whether their children’s school are still using iPads in the classroom? Not the same thing apparently…

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/ipads-in-schools-a-blessing-or-curse-1.3988216

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/why-are-schools-forcing-parents-to-fork-out-almost-1-000-for-ipads-1.4645641

Things were so much easier back in the late 90s when computer manufacturers sponsored laptops for schools programmes and every child who got one almost without fail had it broken within a couple of weeks or sold or just gave up on the thing because it was useless for gaming 😂

I’ve no doubt schools will spend the money wisely… I mean, they will, right, right? 😬

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122681847#Comment_122681847

I don’t believe it’s a fiasco. I think it’s a positive thing that help kids detach from screens. And help them in later life. I see people checking their phones every few months at work and are probably guilty of it myself.

Some of the stuff coming from the opposition is hilarious. Saying you could hire 169 teachers instead , no you can’t.
It’s not €9M a year. 169 teachers is €9M a year and then you’ll need to lay their pension for the rest of their life.

redunited

They only want to remove the phones from school because they dont want bad teachers to be caught, or the material they are having kids learn from being published.

In what world were kids getting out their phones in classrooms and the teachers being unable to do anything about it?

Ironic too when schools are forcing kids to operate ipads instead!

redunited

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122677855#Comment_122677855

When my lad was at school he was attacked on a school trip, lucky he had his phone on him so I knew about it.

Ironically, the teacher at the front of the bus knew nothing about it, and someone filmed it on their phone and the video was sent to me, so I could show the headmaster the attack and question why the hell there was only one teacher on the bus and why that teacher didn't know what was going on at the back of the bus.

Up to the point of myself showing the headteacher the video they were calling my child a liar.

So I will always argue how important a mobile phone is for students to have if only for personal safety or proof of anything.

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122682653#Comment_122682653

that’s some serious batshit crazy conspiracy theory you have there.

School ipads are locked down, and teachers won’t have to use the pouches

schools use the state curriculum, which is readily available

redunited

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122682763#Comment_122682763

Not all iPads are locked down, if you purchase one outside the school system you can avoid having the software to control them put on in some cases. Even if you do have the school-controlled one you can still operate apps such as YouTube.

As for conspiracy theory, have you not heard of the SPHE program? Even some teachers are complaining about it, how many kids are snapping things and showing their parents?

There is no need for pouches, existing rules to prevent the use of phones are sufficient. No classroom is being disrupted by mobile phones if they were the teacher would kick the offending pupil out of the class like they do for any other disruption.

hotmail.com

Struck by so many teachers saying there isn't a phone problem at all in schools.

People seemed to be mixing up phone usage at school and the issue of social media. A pouch isn't going to solve any of the issues with social media. They can use their phone in the evening.

plodder

Seems like a good idea to me. But, if schools don't want it, they don't have to apply for the funding for it. It's not obligatory. Of course it's not going to solve the problem of bullying outside school, but, it's a start.

taratee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122681892#Comment_122681892

Agree with you re: the sum of money. My problem is that the pouches are not solving the problem here. It's a band-aid solution to a deeper issue i.e. a lack of discipline in schools.

Ash.J.Williams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122683380#Comment_122683380

It's nothing to do with bullying is it?

One eyed Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122683540#Comment_122683540

a lack of discipline in schools.

Ohh come onnnnn, I can already imagine the viral videos on TikTok of a wall of electronic fannypacks vibrating when some little bastard makes a group prank call to his mates, be hilarious 😂

Or maybe it’s just what I would do 🤔

plodder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122683563#Comment_122683563

Bullying could be part of it, along with general distraction. It's surely not a bad thing to make phones completely off limit for the duration of the school day?

Hooked

The problem with this… similar to dog's pooping in the street and criminals constantly re-offending… is that society is gone far too fk-in LAZY to police and enforce rules, law's, whatever.

Be far simpler if kids were held to a ZERO tolerance policy. Phone comes out in class =- confiscated on the spot. Or just let the damn thing at home while at school. They're only making kids stupider and socially backward anyways.

9 million in tech pouches. Jesus wept…

Next they'll be offering rapists chastity belts.

Andrewf20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122683296#Comment_122683296

Did you actually read the info in my link I previously provided on the trials done in the USA with this?

eildar

Our school brought in a no phone policy this year.... however, some apps (which we paid for as per booklist) most homework, notes etc are all on google classroom and the kids couldn't access anything as they do not have laptops in class. The teachers spent most of their days photocopying (which probably cost the school a fortune) that week. Most children had to drop out of homework club because again phones weren't allowed. They very quickly changed the rule to phones may be used in class for education purposes only. The majority of the pupils seem to be adhering to it and are not on the phone other than when allowed. If their phones are seen otherwise they are confiscated.

hotmail.com

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122683609#Comment_122683609

I don't bother with research from the US.

hotmail.com

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122683842#Comment_122683842

Phones are an amazing technological tool. Let's hope we don't revert into the stone age by banning them.

Gary_dunne

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122683601#Comment_122683601

Or just let the damn thing at home while at school. They're only making kids stupider

No phones back in your day didn't make you any more intelligent.

Deebles McBeebles

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122680719#Comment_122680719

I'm going to use my powers of perception again and guess that you are not a fan of SF. I'm afraid your rant is wasted on me as I feel the same way about politicians as I do about religion. Don't particularly care what brand you or anyone subscribes to but I dislike them all equally. I'd lose the name-calling though, doesn't help your point.

markodaly

I would wager this is an extremely positive move viewed from the school's and parents point of view.

It strikes me like a storm in a teacup, not surprisingly given the overt negative nature of the Irish media, that they have to latch onto something.

I saw a social media post of a wannabe TD bemoaning this spending, stating that it should be spent on free school meals and SNA's.

I dont think he read the budget because there is money for more SNA's AND free school meals in the budget as well.

If this is the only thing people are giving out about, then I suspect the government are quite happy.

Wanderer78

…an interesting comment, maybe the 9 mil could be used to employ more support staff, which could help with preventing phone usage, maybe!

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122683601#Comment_122683601

schools can’t confiscate phones. That’s theft..

if a phone gets damaged by the school. They would be responsible..

ted1

Schools can’t staff as it is. That €9m is a once off. Staff need wages paid every year and then they need pensions

Pedro K

People are aware you can just buy a magnetic tag remover, like they have in shops, for a couple of euro online, right?

This whole yondr thing in schools is stupid. Yeah, it makes sense at once off events like gigs and comedy shows, sure. But if kids are going into school and using these things every day they will very quickly find a way around it, be it throwing a burner in the pouch, managing to open the pouch without a magnet, or getting a magnetic tag remover themselves. It's performative nonsense.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122684180#Comment_122684180

the argument being, this will probably have little or no effect at resolving the issue, yes its true, more staff would bring more costs, but may also have a better job of actually resolving the issue, all debatable of course, but i, like many others, dont see this resolving anything at all, there would be nothing stopping kids from presenting another phone, and continuing on their merry way with their actual phone…..

Wanderer78

…typical ffg stuff really, of doing very little to address complex social problems, and implementing something that will have little or no effect, ffg supporters will lap it up though, run to the ballot boxes in support, and on we go with perpetual ffg governments, tis all good!

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122684213#Comment_122684213

I’d say they will have a fairly high compliance rate.

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122684281#Comment_122684281

what complex social problem is it not addressing ?

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122684320#Comment_122684320

and id have to strongly disagree, we all know phones are highly addictive, this is exactly what we re dealing with here, theres virtually no difference to the way humans behave with their phones, and with other addictive behaviors such as drug addiction, so this is where things become very complex, so expect all sorts of shenanigans from pupils to make sure they maintain access to their drug of choice, i.e. it simply wont work

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122684334#Comment_122684334

it’s already in some schools in Ireland and they find it effective.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122684328#Comment_122684328

that very little is actually being done about the highly addictive nature of the technology at hand, theres little or no accountability at governance or industry levels, and there wont be either, as the needs and wants of those industries supersedes societies needs…..

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122684349#Comment_122684349

so kids havent found ways around this, can you present this evidence to us please?

pah

Should have been nipped in the bud years ago. Kids don't NEED phones in school they should be banned outright.

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122684364#Comment_122684364

go and talk to the schools yourself

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122684385#Comment_122684385

hahaha, so i ll take that as na, its not really working….