In a statement, the Council of Ministers announced that a decree-law was approved that "regulates the use, in schools, of electronic equipment or devices with internet access, such as smartphones, prohibiting their use by students in the 1st and 2nd cycles of Basic Education, from the next school year".

According to the Government, "the adoption of prohibition or restriction measures takes into account the results of the study by the Center for Planning and Evaluation of Public Policies on the recommendations issued by the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, in September 2024, regarding the use of smartphones in schools".

The statement also states that "the revision of the Citizenship and Development subject was approved, with entry into force from the 2025/2026 school year".

At the press conference held at the end of the Council of Ministers, the Minister of the Presidency had already announced the approval of a resolution on the use of smartphones in schools, but without specifying in which school cycles, and of the Citizenship and Development subject, referring more details about the approved diplomas to a press conference that the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation should hold at the beginning of next week.

According to the conclusions of the study by the Center for Planning and Evaluation of Public Policies, released today, more than half of the schools that banned the use of smartphones reported a decrease in bullying and indiscipline from the 2nd cycle to secondary school, and the overwhelming majority of students began to socialize more during breaks, to do physical activity and to use the play areas during recess.

On Monday, the Minister of Education, Fernando Alexandre, had already announced that the government would be preparing to ban the use of smartphones in the 1st and 2nd cycles, making the recommendation made last year a rule, "regardless of the nature of the institution", that is, for public and private schools.

Last year, the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation recommended banning smartphones from the 1st to 6th grade of school, that is, until the age of 12, and limiting use in the 3rd cycle.

According to the study, only 21.3% of 1st cycle schools did not adopt the recommendation and 59.1% of 2nd cycle schools did not do so either.

In the 3rd cycle, 24.9% prohibited the use of these devices, a measure adopted by only 7.6% of high schools.

The greatest impacts on reducing bullying and indiscipline were reported by schools that opted for the ban, especially in the 2nd cycle (59% and 53.6%, respectively), in the 3rd cycle (57.8% and 57.4%) and in high school (55.6% and 59.5%).

On the other hand, principals shared difficulties in monitoring and implementing the rules, especially in schools where different levels of education coexist, and argued that implementation should be done in stages and with an awareness-raising phase.