To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) how his Department identified the need for a pilot project to support schools with restricting access to mobile phones; and (ii) whether a Business Case demonstrating value for money was submitted and approved for the pilot project.

There are growing concerns about the impact of mobile phones on children and young people’s development and their unauthorised use in class or during the school day. Many countries across the world are increasingly taking steps to restrict phone use at school. There is evidence to indicate that by limiting the use of mobile phones during the school, there can be benefits for academic engagement and achievement.

Regarding the pilot project, the recently published guidance to schools outlines a range of different approaches that schools could potentially utilise to restrict mobile phone use. These approaches will have different strengths and weaknesses and schools are encouraged to develop policies, through consultation with their own school community, that are deliverable and effective in their own circumstance. One possible approach that has been used internationally but not, thus far, in Northern Ireland is the use of mobile inhibiting devices. To test and evaluate this specific approach further, I have asked departmental officials to develop a small pilot project.

It is anticipated that the delivery of the small-scale pilot will cost a maximum of £250,000. Officials are preparing a business case for the pilot and an associated specification for the procurement process. There is scope within this process to consider options to scale the pilot as needed.