Monday’s papers: Phone use in classrooms, printed textbooks and snow along the way

On Monday morning, Finnish newspapers reported new changes to the much-discussed initiative limit the use of phones in schools.

According to the Uutissuomalainen (USU) discussion group, the government plans to amend the Basic Education Act to allow students to use smartphones and other mobile devices only with the permission of a teacher or principal and only for educational purposes or for health reasons.

Tabloid Ilta-Sanomat reported that the bill, to be submitted for public consultation, would allow principals or teachers to confiscate a student’s phone or mobile device if its use disrupts classroom activities.

In addition, schools will be required to establish rules in their codes of conduct regarding the use and storage of phones or other mobile devices. This regulation would cover the entire school day, including lessons, recesses and lunch breaks.

According to USU, the push for this change was largely driven by the National Coalition Party and the Finns Party, and the legislative work is being prepared under the guidance of the Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz (SPP).

The change in the law is scheduled to enter into force in August next year, just before the start of the new school year.

Minister Adlercreutz recently spoke with All Points North about the prevalence of phones in schools and what is being done to limit their impact on students. Listen to the episode using the built-in player on Yle AreenaBy Apple, Spotify or wherever you find your podcasts.

More printed textbooks

In related news, schools in Helsinki will soon be able to offer more printed textbooks as an alternative to digital learning materials for its students, provides Helsingin Sanomat.

On Wednesday, the Helsinki City Council unanimously approved the MP Weronika Honkasalo(left-wing) motion to increase the number of textbooks available in schools on Wednesday by a majority of 83 to 0.

Honkasalo noted that there has been a rapid shift towards digital learning materials in recent years, especially in secondary schools. This change has also raised concerns about the increase in screen time spent by children and young people throughout the day.

“Students say it’s hard to concentrate if everything is only digital. As a result, many parents buy books for their children,” said Honkasalo, who also worked on the education committee in parliament.

Schools in Finland have some freedom in deciding what learning materials they purchase, and some provide textbooks for students with learning difficulties.

“But once digital licenses are purchased, they are usually used,” Honkasalo noted, adding that some schools have already started reintroducing physical textbooks for some subjects.

Honkasalo said she proposed this motion because she believes all students should have equal access to printed textbooks.

The unanimous approval in the Council was quite remarkable, according to Honkasalo, who further noted that there appears to be a cross-party consensus on the issue.

Time to change to winter tires?

The latest weather forecast suggests that it will soon be time to change to winter tires.

A series of low-pressure fronts will move through Finland this week, with possible effects snowfall across the countrymeteorologist Anna Latvala from the weather service Foreca told the tabloid Iltalehti.

While Monday won’t be particularly cold, Latvala said temperatures will drop to more wintry levels as the week progresses.

From Tuesday evening, precipitation in northern Finland will mainly be snow, with snow likely in areas such as northern Ostrobothnia, Kainuu and southern Lapland.

In southern and central Finland, Tuesday’s rainfall will continue to be mostly rain. Low-pressure fronts will also bring strong winds, which will appear in storm gusts on the west coast.

A new low pressure system will approach Finland later this week, but its exact path is still unknown. Temperatures will drop, allowing for weekend snowfall across the south, including along the coast.

Latvala advises people planning to change to winter tires to monitor the weather forecast. As temperatures drop, the risk of frost and black ice increases, and frost is expected across the country by the end of the week. For safety reasons, it is best to avoid driving on summer tires in such conditions, she added.

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