Mobile phone ban is an important overdue step

The phone ban has been trialled at Portobello High

It has been discussed for what seems like years. Yesterday, finally, Edinburgh councillors confirmed all phones would be banned in city schools from after the summer.

The evidence for such a move is overwhelming, and that it has taken so long to happen perplexing.

The Scottish Government should have legislated across the country long before now, instead of leaving the decision up to individual councils and headteachers. Indeed, yet another SNP consultation is about to be launched, instead of ministers having the courage to simply impose what most teachers and parents know is is right.

As Scottish teachers face a well documented behaviour crisis, as well as a battle to improve standards, removing such a distraction from the school day seems like a no brainer.

Councillor James Dalgleish, convener of Edinburgh’s education committee, said yesterday it was "a monumental step for Edinburgh's children and young people". He is not wrong.

He added: "I am proud that we are one of the first local authorities in the country to introduce widespread restrictions on mobile phones in schools.

"I've been clear from the start that we wanted to be bold in our ambition to make our schools phone-free environments that enable our teachers to teach and pupils to learn without the distraction of devices in the classroom."

Trying to pretend that smartphones are not part and parcel of life is pointless, and we expect education on devices, on staying safe, and on responding to cyber-threats to now be a key part of the curriculum.

Pupils should also be allowed access to phones for safety while travelling to and from school, and allowing senior pupils access at break times seems sensible. But phones have no place in the classroom. They never have.

Edinburgh’s long-overdue decision is very welcome today.

We hope all other local authorities will follow suit swiftly and introduce similar measures – not wait for government legislation.