Which method would you use to impound the mobile phone of every high school student? Would it be a cupboard with a lock and key, combination lock, or assigning the phones to heavy-duty secure lockable boxes?

Banning mobile phones at school ... what message are we sending children? Credit:Alamy

The Victorian government is set to spend $12.4 million on storage to house students’ mobile phones that they are now banned from using. It says it's a way to help students adjust.

In an ever-decreasing education budget environment, this feels like a crime. Imagine if schools had an extra $12 million to spend on learning. It could pay for additional teachers, up-to-date curriculum, professional learning for teachers, support staff.

While the ban on mobile phones in schools has been decided in Victoria – and has been enforced at some NSW schools – it has never been clarified on what basis the decision was made. No evidence has been cited that........

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