Smartphones blamed for falling grades as Kazakhstan schools tighten restrictions
Tengrinews.kz – Starting this academic year, schools across Kazakhstan will adopt stricter rules limiting the use of smartphones and other smart devices during school hours.
According to the Ministry of Education, smartphone use during class is already prohibited, but students are typically allowed access to their devices during breaks. However, this will change for schools under the Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS) system: beginning in September 2025, a full ban on smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches will be implemented—both during lessons and recess.
The NIS press service explained the decision was based on numerous international studies showing the negative effects of digital dependency on students’ mental and physical health. Reported consequences include poor sleep, reduced physical activity, attention problems, emotional instability, and increased feelings of loneliness among teenagers.
"In cases of emergency or when contacting parents, students will be allowed to use button phones or landlines," the NIS stated.
Several NIS institutions have already piloted smartphone restrictions. For full implementation, schools will be equipped with necessary tools such as laptops, paper materials, and designated ‘smart zones’, while encouraging students to engage in meaningful, screen-free activities during breaks.
Majilis deputy Askhat Aimagambetov supported the initiative, citing research from behavioral scientist Angela Duckworth, author of Grit. He noted that "willpower is often overrated" and emphasized the importance of designing environments that eliminate distractions rather than relying on self-control.
"A study showed that students performed worse on IQ tests if their phone was nearby—even when it was turned off," he said, adding that academic performance improves when phones are kept out of sight.
Aimagambetov also referenced The Anxious Generation, highlighting research on the detrimental impact of gadgets on schoolchildren.
"In this context, the NIS decision seems not only logical but necessary. Numerous studies back the need for such measures," he concluded.