Foreign students

Professor Miguel Pais, assistant principal at Fontes Pereira de Melo Secondary School, explains to Lusa that despite the rule banning cell phones in school for all grades, there are "internal regulations" designed for exceptional situations.

"Students may use smartphones only in exceptional situations," as is the case with students whose native language is not Portuguese, and there are several dozen students in this situation in the group.

According to Miguel Pais, educational communities have "an increasing number of students whose native language is not Portuguese." In this case, when students have "a very low level of Portuguese proficiency, they can use their smartphones as a translation tool to facilitate their communication," he explains.

Teaching activities

But there are other exceptions, such as "in the classroom where teaching activities are taking place, provided that they are for didactic and pedagogical purposes and with prior authorization from the teacher in charge, with the teacher being vigilant in ensuring their proper use and ensuring equity among all," he adds.

Health conditions

Students with duly documented health problems monitored by electronic devices controlled by mobile phone apps, such as blood glucose monitoring for diabetic students, may have the devices in their possession and permanently turned on, the professor adds.

The fourth exception refers to students with other duly documented health problems and with the approval of the multidisciplinary team supporting inclusive education.

These students are also allowed to use cell phones outside of classrooms or in other places where teaching activities are not taking place. This school year, in this particular school group, all students from preschool to elementary school are prohibited from using smartphones, smartwatches, cell phones, and mobile application devices in all school spaces, whether indoors or outdoors.

Prohibited at all school levels

In the middle and high school levels, in a school group that has five schools, the use of these devices is also prohibited.

"Before entering the school grounds, electronic devices must be turned off and stored in backpacks, purses, or similar items," according to the rule read by teacher Miguel Pais.

High school students are also prohibited from using smartphones, smartwatches, or cell phones in "all classrooms and in all properly marked spaces, including the classroom."

In the case of high school, before entering the classroom, electronic devices must be "turned off, put on silent mode, and stored in backpacks and similar items," the teacher emphasizes.