Catholic School declares legal war on the Ministry of Education's cell phone ban order

PalmThe Catholic School of the Balearic Islands (ECIB) has begun a legal battle against the order banning mobile phones and screens approved by the Ministry of Education, which will come into effect in the 2025-2026 academic year. According to the BOIB (Bolivian Institute of Education), the entity, the majority body in private-subsidized schools in the Balearic Islands, has filed an administrative appeal against the regulation, which is mandatory for both public and subsidized schools.

In a statement, ECIB regretted that the final text—which prohibits devices in Preschool and Primary education, with certain exceptions—has been modified, violating the consensus reached by the Roundtable for Subsidized Education and the School Council of the Balearic Islands.

The employers' association argued that the agreement with the Regional Ministry recognized the right of school owners to make decisions about their internal regulations, a prerogative that, according to ECIB, is enshrined in both the Organic Law on the Right to Education and the Constitution. The agreement stipulated that the order would only affect schools that did not have their own regulations on the matter.

What does the order say?

Starting next year, the Education Ministry will prohibit the use of mobile devices during the entire school day—both in school and outside of school—in public and private schools. In secondary and high school, their occasional use may be permitted for educational activities, provided it is authorized by the school's pedagogical director. Teachers may use them in a reasonable manner and for educational purposes.

Students who require the devices for medical reasons, such as diabetics, are excluded from the ban. Students in advanced vocational training, special education programs, and adult education schools may use them outside of school hours. "We understand that, at these ages, they are already adults and may have diverse needs," said the Minister of Education, Antoni Vera.

The 2024-2025 school year, which has now been repealed, already established the same regulation, but through instructions that only affected public schools. Now, enshrined in an order, the cell phone ban has greater legal certainty.

Disciplinary regime

If a student violates the rule, any member of the teaching staff may confiscate their cell phone. This is a change from current instructions, which limited this authority to management teams. The student must return the device while it is turned off. The school—according to its internal regulations—will determine where it is stored, when it is returned, and to whom.

In statements to the media, Minister Vera stated that during the current academic year, a significant reduction in classroom conflicts related to the inappropriate use of mobile phones had already been detected. This is also true in society. We can provide resources, but social awareness is needed," he stated.

Regarding the digital screens in schools, their use is prohibited until the fourth year of primary school, while in fifth and sixth grades they may be used for a maximum of one hour per week, always following pedagogical criteria.