President Signs Key MEN Amendment Banning Smartphones in Polish Primary Schools Starting September

The Polish president has signed a crucial amendment for the Ministry of National Education banning mobile phones in kindergartens and primary schools starting in September, with specific exceptions and rules.

New Ban Starting in September

Students will not be thrilled as a major revolution is coming this September. The president has signed an amendment to the School Education Act that is crucial for the Ministry of National Education.

According to the new regulations, using mobile phones in kindergartens and primary schools will be prohibited during both lessons and breaks. However, certain exceptions will apply.

Scope of the Restriction

Students in public and non-public primary schools will be barred from using mobile phones and other devices enabling communication, audio recording, or image capture. The ban applies during lessons, breaks, and other activities held at the facility, as well as educational activities organized outside the school, such as physical education classes on external sports fields.

Bringing and using electronic devices will also be forbidden for children during their stay in kindergartens, school-organized kindergarten branches, and other forms of early childhood education in connection with teaching, upbringing, and care activities, including outside the premises.

Exceptions to the Ban

Exceptions to the ban include when a teacher determines a device is needed for educational activities or knowledge testing, when urgent contact between a student and parents is necessary, or in the event of an immediate threat to health or life.

Students may also use electronic devices with the school principal’s consent if justified by illness, disability, or specific needs requiring specialized equipment or mobile health-monitoring applications. This exception also applies to preschoolers.

Any refusal by a school or kindergarten principal to grant consent for using an electronic device must include a written justification.

Storage and Penalties

Schools will be permitted to create special storage areas for devices. These must ensure secure storage and protect students’ privacy rights by preventing unauthorized viewing of contents, with detailed rules set by the school principal.

If a student fails to follow the rules, the school can apply educational measures or penalties provided in the facility’s statute. Such violations may also affect the student’s behavior grade.

High Schools and Other Exemptions

Post-primary schools, such as high schools, technical schools, and adult schools, will not face a statutory ban on mobile phones. However, each school must determine usage rules or decide on a ban within its statute.

The ban will not apply during school trips, stays in dormitories where conditions are determined at the statute level, and during the use of school or kindergarten infrastructure outside of class hours.

Deadlines and Public Support

Schools will have until December 31, 2026, to adapt their statutes to the changes. In parliament, the bill was supported by representatives from all sides of the political spectrum.

A CBOS poll conducted in April for PAP shows that 85 percent of respondents support banning smartphones in primary schools, while 78 percent back a ban on social media for individuals under 15 years of age.