6. Question No. 6—EducationMIKE BUTTERICK (National—Wairarapa) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 6—Education6. MIKE BUTTERICK (National—Wairarapa) to the Minister of Education: What recent reports has she seen around distractions in classrooms?Hon ERICA STANFORD (Minister of Education): The 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment results released last week found that half of students said learners get distracted by using devices in every or most math lessons compared to 30 percent of students on average in the OECD. Many parents have expressed concerns about the use of cellphones at school and research indicates that removing these distractions leads to an improvement in academic achievement health and other social benefits.Mike Butterick: Supplementary.SPEAKER: Mike Butterick. We'll just wait a minute for the House to go quiet.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Point of order. With respect we're struggling to hear. So if we could just have some of the speakers move forward. Thank you.SPEAKER: Yeah can the technicians just find out whether that mike is going as well as it could but we will take the supplementary from Mike Butterick.Mike Butterick: What does the Government plan to do about this?Hon ERICA STANFORD: To assist a turn-around in falling achievement students need to focus on their schoolwork during their precious class time. That means doing what we can to eliminate unnecessary distractions. That is why as part of our 100-day plan the Government will ban cellphone use during the school day for students so they can focus on their learning. New Zealand schools that have banned cellphone use and overseas jurisdictions that have imposed bans report better concentration and engagement in class and have seen an improvement in achievement and wellbeing.Mike Butterick: What feedback has the Minister heard around the banning of cellphones in schools?Hon ERICA STANFORD: Feedback from principals who have already imposed bans has been very positive. In a recent New Zealand Herald article: Otago Boys' High School rector Richard Hall said banning cellphones during school hours was 'one of the best things I've done'." Hall said that since the policy was implemented "it was now normal to see boys interacting and playing together during breaks. Staff were also spending a lot less time dealing with cyber-bullying." A 14-year-old student from Hillmorton High School in Christchurch said "People are talking to each other more rather than just sitting on their phones." She said "In whānau groups people are actually talking and socialising getting to know people more. Also you're not distracted by things on your phone and can focus more on your schoolwork."Hon Carmel Sepuloni: Banning everything except smoking.SPEAKER: Yep well I'm going to ban all commentary on all questions if we can't just be a little more orderly.Mike Butterick: Does this change echo global trends around cellphone use in schools?Hon ERICA STANFORD: Yes. More and more countries around the world are banning or considering a ban on cellphones in schools. This year a Unesco report called for a global ban on smartphones in schools and they found that the use of social media in the classroom is disruptive and has negative impacts on learning outcomes. The mere presence of a mobile device was found to distract students and have a negative impact on learning areas in 14 countries. The use of technology is associated with negative impacts on physical and mental wellbeing and increased susceptibility to online risks and harms which affect academic performance in the long term. And I suggest that if the Opposition have a further supplementary they should take that opportunity but I suggest that they probably won't."