He United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched this Monday the regional report titled “Under pressure: Recalibrating the future of development in Latin America and the Caribbean”, which analyzes the advances in human development and the growing pressures that put into risk the well-being of people on the continent.
According to the document, the region improved indicators such as health, education and income, but the progress has been “unequal”have slowed down and are vulnerable to setbacks.
In education, the report indicates that in Latin America and the Caribbean, 1 in 3 students distracts with digital devices during the math classes.
This data was obtained from the number of students who, in the last PISA tests 2022 (Program for International Student Assessment), reported being distracted in all or most mathematics classes due to the use of digital devices.
What do Paraguayan teachers think about the use of cell phones in mathematics?
Carlos Ramos He is currently a guiding teacher at the Argentine Republic National Schoolone of the oldest educational institutions in Asunción. He is also a mathematics and English teacher. He states that as far as mathematics is concerned, the ideal is do not use no smart screens in class at all.
“The boys, normally when performing the exercises, use the calculatorIt is not customary to use a cell phone here. In relation to other subjects, their cell phone is usually taken out, in such a way that don’t get distracted when attending to the contents that are developed in class. It is returned to them at the end,” he says.
At home, Ramos assures that the ideal would be for students to apply the same methodology used at school when doing homework or studying. “It is better that they also use the calculator, first to practice all possible operations and also to avoid distractions,” he insists.
It indicates that in a 97% of classes and in all subjects, the use of cell phones is restricted in the third cycle and in secondary education.
The impact of banning cell phones in classrooms
Recent studies suggest that banning smartphone use in schools can lead to modest improvements in academic performance, especially among girlssays the UNDP report.
“While smartphones can support schoolwork, they also represent a source of distraction and can facilitate negative social interactionsaffecting both the individual performance as the general dynamics of the classroom,” the analysis points out.
In Norwayfemale students from lower-income households showed significant improvements in attendance and academic performance after the smartphone ban. In Spainschools with restrictions on smartphone use reported higher math and science scores on PISA tests.
“In Englandthese measures improved the exam performance of previously low-performing students, which could contribute to reducing the educational inequalities”, highlights UNDP.
School principal talks about cell phone use in the classroom
Luis Castillodirector of the Colegio Nacional República Argentina, affirms that indeed, they consider the cell phone as a distractor element in class, so they generally do not use it with students.
“The students see other things, they do not pay attention to the teacher’s explanation, they do not do their homework anymore. We must consider that the process in class has its score and that young people should take into account,” he adds. They only use these devices if the teacher asks for a investigation or find out more about something concept specific.
“I am a director, but I also teach Guidance. The first thing I ask when entering the classroom is that they put away all their cell phones to start the lesson without the devices in their hands,” he adds. Of the around 300 students at the school, the 99% have mobile phones in the Argentine Republic.
UNDP further maintains that “beyond the academic sphere, the ban on the use of smartphones contributes to a cleaner school environment.” focused and don’t worryreduces the school bullying and promotes positive learning conditions for both students and teachers.” This is based on European research.
Situation of Latin America on the use of cell phones in classrooms
The report “Under pressure” points out that Chili approved a bill in 2024 that regulates the use of cell phones in schools, banning them at education levels preschool and primary, and allowing its regulated use among students at higher levels.
In Paraguay, in its session on March 17, Deputies gave half penalty to the bill “that regulates the use of cell phones and personal electronic devices in public, private and subsidized private educational institutions in the country.”
The original project, presented by Colorado Chartist legislators, first established the “total ban” of these equipment in private, subsidized private and public educational centers, although after backing down, they modified the plan to “regulated use.”
This Wednesday, April 29, one day before the celebrations for the Teacher’s Daythe Senate’s second item on the agenda of its ordinary session is the treatment of this bill.
