Rheinland‑Pfalz bans private use of phones in schools from 2027

Education Minister Ute Eiling‑Hütig (CDU) announced that, starting February 2027, private use of all digital devices – smartphones, tablets, iPads, smartwatches and similar – will be prohibited for pupils up to grade 10 in Rheinland‑Pfalz schools. The ban covers the entire school day, including breaks and all‑day programmes, and requires devices to be switched off and stored out of sight. Medical exceptions are allowed, and pedagogical use of devices in class remains permitted.

The measure aims to reduce social pressure on young people to be constantly reachable and to promote face‑to‑face interaction and social competence. It is part of a broader reform that also introduces more teacher positions (about 45 500 teachers after hiring 225 new posts and 940 new hires) and expands full‑day care and digital education programmes across the state’s 1 661 schools, which serve roughly 552 400 students.