8. Question No. 8—EducationCARL BATES (National—Whanganui) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 8—Education8. CARL BATES (National—Whanganui) to the Minister of Education: What reports has she seen about the introduction of the policy to remove the distraction of cellphones from school?Hon ERICA STANFORD (Minister of Education): There have now been multiple media reports of the positive changes seen in schools since this policy was introduced. A Wellington student was quoted as saying that by having her phone off and in her bag she was already paying more attention to school notices and concentrating better in lessons without her phone distracting her. This is exactly why this Government has removed the distraction of phones from schools.Carl Bates: What feedback has the Minister seen from principals about the policy to remove the distraction of cellphones from schools?Hon ERICA STANFORD: An Otago principal said that their teachers support the ban as the removal of phones helps students engage better with their learning. And a principal from Central Hawke's Bay also reported that students have responded well to the change in policy and are engaging and interacting more face to face.Carl Bates: What feedback has the Speaker seen from the—[Interruption] Sorry what feedback has the Minister seen—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Hang on. Just a minute. A question is being asked so you get a little bit of silence. You can start again.Carl Bates: Thank you Mr Speaker. What feedback has the Minister seen from the public about the cellphone policy?Hon ERICA STANFORD: I have received multiple correspondence from the public supporting the policy saying that it's about time and it's a no-brainer and in an interview with The Northern Advocate a Kaitāia mother said They're there to learn. As a parent I think it's really good. They've actually got to interact more."Carl Bates: What other feedback has the Minister received about the cellphone policy?Hon ERICA STANFORD: A Wellington year 9 dean said she has seen no cellphones in class at all or walking around during school on duty. She noticed students engaging in game playing like cards and said that the librarians have been thrilled with the number of books students are taking out and have noticed students are reading in the library much more than last year. We are pleased with the implementation of the Government's policy and it's been warmly welcomed by principals and teachers and is having a positive impact on students.Hon Member: Leap leap.Rt Hon Winston Peters: It pays to be athletic! Can I ask the Minister as to whether she's been told that this ban on phones in schools by school children has been so successful that the Queensland State Labour Party Government in Australia has now adopted it as well?Hon ERICA STANFORD: I am hearing reports about Australian states picking up this policy like many other countries are around the world and I look forward to speaking more positively about it in the future as more data and evidence comes to light as to the success of the policy.Hon Ginny Andersen: Why thank you Mr Speaker. What is the benefit of banning cellphones from classrooms at Wainuiomata High School now that their rebuild has been cancelled by the Government and there won't be enough classrooms for the growing number of students?Hon ERICA STANFORD: Speaking to the question and also as it relates to the primary the cellphone ban for Wainuiomata will have similar impacts to every other school that I'm hearing from in that students are interacting more with each other focusing on their learning not getting distracted and very soon we are going to have evidence and data to show that this policy is working."