The use of mobile phones will be permanently banned in all secondary schools across France, starting from the start of the new school year.
The decision was officially confirmed by French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon, following the approval of the law by the Constitutional Council and the decree by President Emmanuel Macron. The spokeswoman explained that the legal framework has been consolidated by removing the articles that were declared unconstitutional, with the aim of immediate implementation of this measure.
"The ban on mobile phones in high schools has been approved by the Constitutional Council. So, the President of the Republic has decided to approve the law that was partially overturned, without the articles that were declared unconstitutional, of course, in order to implement, within a stabilized legal framework, the means that have already been proven. Simply put, the ban on mobile phones in high schools can enter into force as of the new school year, according to a stable and consolidated legislative framework," she said.
However, the law also provides for special exceptions, where the use of phones will be allowed for educational purposes, administrative needs, or for students in preparatory classes who are taking courses for admission to higher education institutions.
Euronews reports that the implementation of this measure is being separated from the proposal to ban social networks for people under 15, a measure that was rejected by the Constitutional Council earlier this month.
Regarding this point, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced that a new version of the legal text is being prepared that will take into account all the observations of the highest legal authority in the country.