Nine schools and over 8,000 young people will be taking part
A pilot scheme began this week that will see pupils place their mobile phones in a magnetic pouch so they can’t be used during the school day.
Nine schools are taking part in the programme until March next year, which involves more than 8,000 young people across Northern Ireland
After a procurement process, Odyssey Education was appointed to supply lockable mobile phone pouches for the pilot and provide training, guidance and support for the pilot project. King’s College London has been appointed to carry out an external evaluation of the pilot.
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What is the purpose of the pilot?
It’s designed to restrict the personal use of mobile phones throughout the school day, including at break and lunch times.
The pilot will explore the potential benefits of restricting mobile phone use during the school day, with a focus on supporting student wellbeing and improving concentration in the classroom.
A report about the evaluation of the pilot scheme is due to be published next June.
How did we get to this point?
Education Minister, Paul Givan, first announced new guidance to support school leaders in restricting the personal use of mobile phones throughout the school day, including at break and lunch times back in September 2024.
The Department invited expressions of interest for the pilot from schools and over 50 were received. From these expressions of interest, nine post-primary schools representing a range of school types and geographical locations were selected.
An open procurement exercise took place to appoint a supplier to supply the lockable mobile phone pouches and provide associated training, guidance and support for the school pilot project. The successful supplier, Odyssey Education, was formally appointed in June 2025.
The Department issued an evaluation specification and invited proposals for the pilot evaluation. King’s College, London was appointed to conduct the pilot evaluation in August 2025. The primary method of evaluation with school staff, pupils and parents will be through online surveys, potentially supplemented with online/ face to face engagement through focus groups.
How will the pilot work?
Pupils involved in the pilot scheme will place their phones in a pocket-sized fabric pouch with a magnetic latch that’s sealed at the beginning of the school day and opened using a special unlocking base.
This will ensure pupils can’t use their phones during the school day and this will allow for an evaluation of the impacts of reduced usage. Flexibility will be provided for those students who need access to their smartphone during the school day, for reasons of health, disability or other needs.
What schools are taking part in the pilot?
The nine schools participating in the pilot are Glenlola Collegiate, Bangor, Friends’ School, Lisburn, Hazelwood Integrated College, Belfast, St Genevieve’s High School, Belfast, St Joseph’s Boys’, Londonderry, St Fanchea’s College, Enniskillen, Larne High School, Markethill High School and St Ronan’s College, Lurgan.
What has the Education Minister said?
Paul Givan hailed the potential of the scheme during a visit to St Ronan’s College in Lurgan on Thursday.
He said: “Since becoming Education Minister, I’ve taken time to carefully review the evidence and listen to the concerns of parents, teachers and school leaders about mobile phone use in schools.
“There is growing unease about the amount of time young people spend on smartphones, and research increasingly points to a link between excessive use and declining mental health among adolescents.
“In response, I committed to piloting a phone-free solution that would prevent pupils from using their devices during the school day, helping them to fully engage with learning, social interaction and all aspects of school life.”
Mr Givan said countries around the world are taking action to reduce phone use in schools.
He added: “While some schools here in Northern Ireland have already introduced their own policies, I believe we need a consistent, evidence-based approach.
“This pilot will help us understand what works best and how we can support schools to make changes that benefit pupils, boosting wellbeing, focus and academic achievement.”
What has the response been to the pilot?
The scheme had previously been criticised after Mr Givan said he had set aside £250,000 to pay for it. Alliance Party leader Naomi Long questioned the cost last year and said “each mobile comes with an off switch which is absolutely free”.
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