Restrictions to be placed on the use of phones and mobile devices in schools
schools The Basic Education Act is being amended. With the amendments, the use of telephones and other mobile devices during lessons will only be allowed in certain situations. Regional State Administrative Agencies will also be able to investigate, on their own initiative, whether education is being organised in line with the Basic Education Act. In addition, promoting a physically active lifestyle will be added to the objectives of pre-primary, primary and lower secondary education. The Government submitted a proposal on the amendments on Monday 30 December.
The amendments are in line with the objectives set in the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government.
With the amendments, the use of phones or other mobile devices during lessons would be prohibited as a rule and would be allowed only in certain circumstances. Students would only be allowed to use their phones or other mobile devices during lessons for learning purposes or for personal healthcare reasons with permission from their teacher or principal.
A principal or teacher would have the right to confiscate a student’s phone or other mobile device during the school day if the student’s use of the device were to disrupt teaching or learning.
“I am convinced that this amendment will improve students’ ability to focus on lessons and promote a peaceful learning environment in schools,” said Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz.
With the amendments, schools will be required to issue rules on the use and storage of phones and other mobile devices during the school day (including during break times and lunch breaks).
“Clearer rules will help protect students’ right to a safe and peaceful learning environment and will improve equality between students,” Adlercreutz continued.
The proposal does not include changes to the disciplinary measures laid down in the Basic Education Act.
Powers of Regional State Administrative Agencies
A provision will be added to the Basic Education Act that will allow Regional State Administrative Agencies to investigate, at their own initiative, whether teaching is being organised in line with the Act.
Strengthening supervision will help to ensure the legality and quality of services and safeguard pupils’ rights and legal protection. In addition, the Act will be amended to include a provision on the sanctions available to the Regional State Administrative Agencies: admonition, calling attention, order and conditional fine.
Promoting a physically active lifestyle
The Government’s aim is to increase physical activity in every age group. Adding the promotion of a physically active lifestyle to the objectives of education in the Basic Education Act is one of the goals of the Government’s Get Finland Moving programme.
The aim of the proposal is to strengthen the role of physical activity in the culture of pre-primary, primary and lower secondary education and to highlight the importance of physical activity as an overall life skill.
The amendment will ensure that children and young people engage in more physical activity during the school day and aims to improve their overall wellbeing. Physical activity during the school day has been shown to have a positive impact on learning outcomes.
The Finnish National Agency for Education will update the national core curriculum for basic education to include the objective of promoting a physically active lifestyle.
The legislative amendments on mobile devices and the oversight of legality by the Regional State Administrative Agencies are set to enter into force on 1 August 2025, whereas the amendments on promoting a physically active lifestyle will enter into force on 1 August 2026.
Inquiries:
- Marja Penttilä, Senior Ministerial Adviser (phones and other mobile devices), tel. +358 2953 30400
- Anne-Marie Brisson, Senior Ministerial Adviser (oversight of legality by Regional State Administrative Agencies), tel. +358 2953 30079
- Marjaana Larpa, Senior Ministerial Adviser (promoting a physically active lifestyle), tel. +358 2953 30480