France implements school phone bans and new safety measures

French schools are preparing for a new wave of educational reforms ahead of the upcoming school year. President Emmanuel Macron has pushed for a ban on mobile phones in high schools for students aged 15 to 18 to reduce digital distractions and protect child development. However, educators and unions warn that immediate implementation is difficult, as schools must first undergo lengthy processes to amend internal regulations and consult with students.

In a separate domestic dispute, Éric Ciotti, the mayor of Nice, is challenging Education Minister Édouard Geffray over a proposal to introduce regular flag-raising ceremonies and the singing of La Marseillaise in Nice schools. Geffray has rejected the initiative, asserting that the state maintains exclusive authority over pedagogical matters and school environments.

Additionally, the Ministry of Education is launching a massive initiative to collect data on sexual and gender-based violence. Starting this November, approximately 10 million students from primary to high school will be surveyed through an annual questionnaire to better identify and address instances of violence within the school system.