National teachers in Clare claim the absence of smartphones in primary school ensures a level playing field among students.
It comes as Education Minister Norma Foley is set to get sign off from cabinet today on a new proposal that would require schools to survey parents to see if they want the devices banned for their children at school.
At the end of August, concerns relating to the prevalence of smartphones in primary schools was echoed by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly following soaring numbers of children on CAMHS waiting lists across the country.
In Clare’s community healthcare organisation area alone which also includes Limerick and North Tipperary, 315 patients were waiting for appointments alone.
A recent survey from CyberSafeKids meanwhile shows that over a quarter of Irish students experienced bullying over the internet in the last year.
However that trend may be about to change from today, as Minister for Education Norma Foley is expected to get sign off from cabinet on a new proposal that would require parents to be surveyed to see if they want the devices banned for their children at school.
The policy is already in place on a voluntary basis at a number of primary institutions in Clare and Carrigaholt NS Principal Edel Smith says its vital young people avoid unnecessary social pressures at a key developmental stage in their lives.
Clare’s Irish National Teacher Organisation representative believes the Minister is well off the pace of issues affecting schools across the country.
The proposal comes on a day where 809 teaching staff positions lie vacant across the country, three of which are in this county.
Clare INTO Rep Brendan Horan says while today’s news is welcome, the Department of Education is not dealing with major problems in a timely manner.
You can listen to the full interview below.
