SENATE Committee on Basic Education Chairman Sherwin Gatchalian said that based on a Pulse Asia survey, almost 8 out of 10 Filipinos support a ban on cellphones in schools.

Based on the results of the survey conducted from June 17-24, 2024, 76 percent of 1,200 adult respondents nationwide agree with having a cellphone ban inside schools.

Thirteen percent said they disagree, while 11 percent said they cannot say whether they agree or disagree.

For Gatchalian, results of the survey show that Filipinos see the benefits of imposing a ban on cellphone use in schools, especially because distraction from mobile phones in schools is linked to poorer learner performance.

According to an analysis of the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment by the Senate Committee on Basic Education, eight out of 10 Filipino learners aged 15 reported being distracted in class by using their smartphones, while another eight out of 10 reported being distracted by other students’ smartphone use.

Last June, Gatchalian filed the Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act or Senate Bill No. 2706, which seeks to prohibit learners’ use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets from Kindergarten to senior high school within school premises during school hours.

“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. Kaya naman patuloy nating isinusulong ang panukalang batas na magbabawal sa paggamit ng cellphone sa oras ng klase,” Gatchalian said.