Teachers policing student phones drains school resources

23 March 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

A UK study finds teachers policing student phones consumes hundreds of staff hours weekly. Poland’s ban proposal remains stalled in parliament.

A major UK study found school staff spend hundreds of hours each week policing phones. The report shows teachers policing student phones diverts staff time and money from education.

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Study: staff lose 100+ hours weekly on phones

Researchers at the University of Birmingham surveyed 815 pupils and staff from 20 English secondary schools. Consequently, they measured enforcement time in schools with strict bans and those with tolerant rules. Schools with full bans spent on average 102 hours per week enforcing rules. Moreover, schools that allowed phones at breaks still spent 108 hours weekly managing incidents. Therefore, the study estimated the time equals over three full-time jobs per school. In addition, the research included teachers, form tutors, caretakers and admin staff. Consequently, the burden reached beyond classroom time. Also, the team found no measurable mental health advantage for pupils in banned schools. However, banned schools cut phone use by around 40 minutes daily, the researchers previously reported.

Policy debate in Poland and stalled legislation

In Poland, lawmakers proposed a ban for primary schools in June 2025. However, the private members’ bill has stalled in the Sejm committee since August 2025. Moreover, the Ministry of Education warned that a top-down ban might create a false sense of solution. Therefore, the ministry instead introduced optional digital hygiene classes in September 2025. In addition, critics such as the Ombudsperson for Children argued that blanket bans do not teach responsibility. Also, the Parliamentary Office flagged legal and social risks. Consequently, schools risk inconsistent rules if the law leaves many exemptions to local interpretation. Meanwhile, roughly 51.6% of Polish schools already ban phones on their own. However, only 15.1% provide lockers or deposit boxes for devices. Therefore, parents and principals currently face gaps around storage, liability, theft and damage.

teachers policing student phones: what this means for expats

If you live in Poland, check your child’s school statute first. Consequently, many schools set their own rules now. Moreover, ask if the school uses a deposit system, and who bears liability for loss. In addition, remember that Polish bureaucracy often uses terms like PESEL (national ID number), ZUS (social security), or NFZ (national health insurer). Also, a confiscated phone can trigger disagreements over fines or sanctions. Therefore, clarify the appeals process with the headteacher and the parent council. If the national law passes, it would apply to primary schools from September 2026. However, secondary schools would still decide locally. Consequently, expat parents should monitor the Sejm committee and their school’s statute updates.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If your child attends a Polish school, ask the principal for the school statute and rules on phones. Remember that PESEL means the child’s national ID number, ZUS handles pensions and social security, NFZ runs public health insurance, and a “mandat” is a fine. Also, note that many rules now rest with directors, not with a national law.

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