On Monday (January 13), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed new legislation that restricts the use of portable electronic devices, especially cell phones, in classrooms of public and private schools across the country. The bill was approved by Congress at the end of last year.
Supported by the federal government and experts, the project gained broad consensus, bringing together both the ruling party and the opposition. “This sanction represents the recognition of the efforts of all individuals dedicated to education, as well as those committed to the well-being of the children and adolescents of this country,” said the president, who took the opportunity to congratulate lawmakers for their role in approving the measure.
“Imagine a teacher giving a lesson and, when looking at her students, each one is on their phone—one is in China, another in Sweden, another in Japan, and another in another state, talking to people unrelated to the lesson. We need to refocus on humanism, ensuring that it is not replaced by algorithms,” emphasized Lula while commenting on the new law.
Renan Ferreirinha, Municipal Secretary of Education of Rio de Janeiro and licensed federal deputy, was the author of the project in the Chamber of Deputies. He described it as one of the greatest victories for Brazilian education in this century. “You can’t have a student in the classroom scrolling through TikTok or social media while the teacher is teaching. Every time the student receives a notification, it’s as if they have left the classroom,” he said.Restrictions
According to the Minister of Education, Camilo Santana, the law restricts the use of devices in classrooms and during breaks for personal purposes. However, there are exceptions, such as for pedagogical activities under the supervision of the teacher or for individuals who need devices for technological accessibility or health-related needs.
“We are not against access to technology—there is no going back in today’s world. However, we want this technology, this tool, to be used appropriately, especially during the critical developmental phases of children and adolescents,” said the minister.Source: Agência Brasil