Education secretary supports ban on cellphones in schools

Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés

By The Star Staff

Island Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés has expressed his support for a proposed ban on cellphones in public schools.

The legislation, penned by New Progressive Party Rep. Jorge Navarro Suárez, would ban cell phone use in public schools through eighth grade, despite existing regulations on the matter. The official made his remarks during a weekend press conference at La Fortaleza, where he also announced that dozens of schools will begin a modernization process that may involve adjustments to student schedules for the upcoming school year.

“Cellphones are essentially prohibited in schools. Our regulations allow their use only if an educational plan is in place, which means that their use is dependent on the discretion of teachers and school principals,” Ramos Parés said. “The tools for oversight are already in place. Making it a law has opened up a necessary conversation in public, and we want to emphasize the responsibilities of parents regarding device usage, as well as the responsibilities of school officials.”

“I have not opposed the bill because it elevates the discussion, which is already being covered by various media,” the education secretary continued. “It has been proven that cell phones can be a distraction. Those who advocate for keeping cell phones often do so as a protective measure. We are looking for alternatives for students, as this issue also indicates a lack of control. A cell phone allows a student to access the internet, and we know the potential issues this can create. I cannot control what students view online, but the school’s internet has certain safeguards to limit access to inappropriate websites.”

“Raising concerns and enabling some form of supervision or monitoring with cellphones is challenging,” Ramos Parés added. “The reality is that I support not allowing cellphones in schools. If there are ongoing discussions among all parties, we know that teachers are on the front lines with our students. Our principals are exploring alternatives, such as purchasing lockers or finding ways to block cellphone signals within schools. However, it is also true that these solutions may have their drawbacks.”

The official clarified that: “While I believe we do not need to legislate everything, the discussions prompted by this measure [...] have raised awareness among parents about the implications of having a cellphone in a student’s backpack.”

“I do not have all the solutions for each family’s circumstances, but I am convinced that the use of cellphones in school is detrimental to students’ development and attention to their educational environment,” the official said.