Overview

• Saxony will change its Grundschulordnung to impose a binding ban on mobile devices at state primary schools starting after the winter break.
• The rules cover smartphones, mobile phones, smartwatches and tablets across the entire school grounds, including breaks, with limited medical or pedagogical exceptions and teacher-approved educational use.
• The ban applies only to state schools in Saxony, leaving private primary schools outside the new mandate.
• North Rhine-Westphalia’s education ministry has directed all principals to submit clear concepts for handling mobile phones by this autumn.
• Schools in Neuss report stricter enforcement and tougher sanctions after a surge in devices post‑summer break, with the Gymnasium Marienberg citing phone involvement in bullying cases.