SOCIAL media has been blamed by the schools’ inspector for a surge in classroom bad behaviour after “chipping away” at kids’ brains.
Almost a million pupils were excluded last year in a staggering 20 per cent annual rise to be the highest on record.
Ofsted boss Sir Martyn Oliver has demanded mobile phones be banned on school grounds to give children a “sanctuary” from their corrosive impact.
In his annual report to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson he attributes increased pupil disruption to the “influence of social media, whether by chipping away at attention spans and eroding the necessary patience for learning, or by promoting disrespectful attitudes and behaviours”.
Sir Martyn said that while teachers should help kids “navigate the risks and pitfalls of their online lives, there is no need to facilitate access on school grounds.
“Far better to provide children with sanctuary from their mobile devices once the school gates close.”
While many schools take phones from kids, the Tories have been pushing for a mandatory ban.
The report shows that disruptive behaviour now accounts for four in every 10 permanent exclusions and half of our suspensions.
A recent government survey showed that almost a quarter of teaching time is lost due to misbehaviour.
Sir Martyn urged teachers to use tough penalties and not to be cowed for fear of not being “inclusive”.
He said: “There’s nothing inclusive about accepting lowered expectations or putting children’s education at risk because one child cannot behave.
“The most inclusive schools can and do have the calmest classrooms where all pupils can thrive.”
