Survey shows 75% of Pinoys want to ban phones in schools
Almost eight in 10 Filipinos support the ban on phones in schools, a Pulse Asia survey revealed.
The poll, commissioned by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, saw 76% of 1,200 adults agreeing with the school phone ban. 13% disagreed while 11% couldn't say their stance on the matter.
The strongest supporters for the ban come from Class ABC with 80% of the socioeconomic class. 76% of respondents from D and 71% from E also back the proposal.
In terms of location, about 80% of respondents in Metro Manila, 79% in Luzon, 81% in Mindanao, and 61% in Visayas agree with the phone ban.
"Malinaw na suportado ng ating mga kababayan ang ating panukala na ipagbawal ang paggamit ng mga cellphones sa mga paaralan, lalo’t na’t ang paggamit nito sa oras ng klase ay maaaring makapinsala sa kanilang pag-aaral," Gatchalian said on Aug. 6. "Kaya naman patuloy nating isinusulong ang panukalang batas na magbabawal sa paggamit ng cellphone sa oras ng klase."
On June 10, he filed Senate Bill No. 2706, the Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act, prohibiting the use of mobile devices among basic education students and teachers during class hours.
In the bill's explanatory note, Gatchalian said that while gadgets have become a compelling learning tool, they can "cause distractions that could adversely impact learning."
He also cited data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 which said that eight in every 10 learners aged 15 said they got distracted in class by using their smartphones. Furthermore, eight in every 10 also reported they got distracted by others using phones in class.
S.B. No. 2706 also provided exemptions when gadgets can be used during class hours including for classroom presentations and activities, health and well-being-related cases, and managing risks in case of emergencies.
The Pulse Asia survey was conducted from June 17 to 24. (with reports Cecille Suerte Felipe)