As part of the new policy, Meal Services’ paper snack vouchers will be reintroduced.
The new mobile phone policy in schools requires discussion, cooperation, and monitoring
In schools, discussions on a new telephone policy will continue with staff and student associations as part of the review of the rules of procedure. Basic Education Services encourages families to discuss and support this change as well. The impact of the new policy will be monitored, and a follow-up survey will be conducted in January 2026 to support possible further development.
The proposal for new school rules by the principals of Lahti comprehensive schools is based on the amendment to the Basic Education Act, the National Agency for Education’s recommendation, and the results of the spring survey on mobile phone usage restrictions.
The aim of the legislative change is to improve the learning environment in schools and to support pupils’ learning and concentration. The National Agency for Education also recommends that schools prohibit the use of mobile devices during mealtimes in their school rules, restrict or ban their use entirely during breaks, transitions, and other non-teaching times.
In Lahti, a comprehensive survey on mobile phone usage restrictions was conducted in spring 2025. The opinions of teaching staff, guardians, and pupils were mostly aligned with the recommended practices following the legislative change. Over 60% of guardians believed that there is no need to use phones during lessons and breaks, and nearly 80% felt that phone use is unnecessary during mealtimes. The pupils were concerned, among other things, about staying in touch with their friends.
Virve Jämsén, Director of Education and Childcare at Basic Education Services, states that the reform aims to ensure that every pupil can enjoy a calm learning environment and focus on their studies.
– Reducing the strain caused by mobile device stimuli supports the wellbeing of children and young people. We also want to free up time for face-to-face social interaction and active engagement.
Main principles of the new mobile phone policy
Upon arriving at school, lower secondary pupils hand in their phones to the phone parking area, which is kept in a locked space. A dedicated named place for each pupil’s phone will be available in the telephone parking lot. The group-specific phone parking area in schools holds up to 30 phones.
- School day means lessons, breaks, meals, transition situations, school events and excursions, as well as other school activities.
- With the principal’s or teacher’s permission, a pupil may use their phone during the school day for learning, as an assistive device, or for personal healthcare.
- In primary schools, pupils in grades 1 to 6 keep their phones in silent mode throughout the school day in their own backpack or bag.
- In lower secondary schools, pupils in grades 7 to 9 and those in preparatory education keep their phones in silent mode in the phone parking area throughout the school day.
- Other mobile devices, such as smartwatch phones, must be kept in silent or non-disruptive mode. If a pupil brings a mobile device other than a phone or smartwatch phone to school, it is their own responsibility.
- If a pupil urgently needs to contact a guardian during the school day, for example due to illness, they may do so with the assistance of school staff.
- A pupil always has the right to call the emergency number in an emergency situation using the school’s phone without permission from the school staff.
If a pupil does not follow the school rules, the teacher or principal has the right to confiscate any device that disrupts teaching or learning for the remainder of the school day.
Snack sales in schools starting in August 2025
Paper snack vouchers from Meal Services will be reintroduced, and the current use of the Ceepos Mobile Payment app for snack sales will be discontinued.
Paper snack vouchers are purchased by paying with a reference number, and the vouchers are collected upon presenting the receipt. Snack vouchers are paid in advance via online banking.
On the catering services website paijatateria.fi you can find up-to-date information about the sale of snack vouchers as well as instructions on changing the money already downloaded into the Ceepos mobile payment app for snack vouchers.
The menus can be found in the Jamix menu app and, in the future, also on the wall of the school canteen.
Further information
City of Lahti, Basic Education Services
school principals
Päijät-Häme Catering services
service manager Mari Lehtiranta, 044 483 1862
service director Maarit Tuomala-Nikkanen, 044 716 1563 (from 11.8)
paijatateria.fi