5. Question No. 5—EducationKATIE NIMON (National—Napier) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 5—Education5. KATIE NIMON (National—Napier) to the Minister of Education: What reports has she seen about the away for the day" cellphone policy?Hon ERICA STANFORD (Minister of Education): There have been overwhelmingly positive responses to our "off and away all day" policy to ban the use of cellphones in schools. The Secondary Principals' Association of New Zealand said that schools who started the year with a ban are reporting less distraction and more interaction in the playground with a lot of children out playing sport or heading to the library. I am proud of this Government that we are prepared to take decisive action and that's why from the first day of term 2 all schools were required to implement the cellphone use ban to ensure every student has the same opportunity to succeed at school.Katie Nimon: What evidence has she seen to support New Zealand's cellphone policy?Hon ERICA STANFORD: A recent study published by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health wrote that banning smart phones significantly reduced bullying improved the grades of students and significantly decreased the number of visits students made to see mental health specialists. The study also found that schools that implemented a policy removing phones for the whole day not just class time experienced a larger increase in student educational performance. That is why it is our expectation that cellphones are off and away all day so we can get back to basics and ensure our kids are literate numerate and aspirational about their futures.Katie Nimon: What feedback has she seen from school principals about the "away for the day" cellphone policy?Hon ERICA STANFORD: Principals from across the country continue to write to me to tell me how wonderful it is to hear the noise in the playground with more students talking to each other playing games and connecting. One Dunedin secondary school principal reported that restricting pupils' cellphones had resulted in a massive drop in harmful social media incidents. The Hornby High School principal said he wished they'd done it five years ago. He said "We're seeing kids … outside … playing games throwing balls reading books and generally interacting more positively rather than having heads down on a phone." This policy is part of our wider plan to lift student achievement and wellbeing.Katie Nimon: What feedback has she received while recently abroad about the cellphone policy?Hon ERICA STANFORD: Last week in Singapore I had the opportunity to meet with many of my international counterparts. The number one thing I was asked about was cellphones. Ministers of education from around the world asked me to share our approach and why it had been so successful. Other countries are also making changes. The UK Government has also taken steps to prohibit cellphones in their schools. The UK Secretary for Education explained that "By prohibiting mobile phones schools can create safe and calm environments free from distraction so all pupils can receive the education they deserve." This Government is committed to getting the basics right supporting Kiwi kids to succeed. Getting cellphones out of schools was just the start and there's a lot more to come."