On September 29, during a regular administrative meeting, Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan announced that parents in Yerevan are largely receptive to possible restrictions on mobile phone use in schools. “Not only are they receptive, but moreover, they support and encourage this initiative,” he said.
Margarit Khachatryan, head of the Yerevan City Hall’s General Education Department, stated that the municipality is proposing restrictions while ensuring a proper legal framework.
According to Khachatryan, the proposal envisions a complete ban on grades 1–6 having switched-on phones during lessons, school events, or breaks. “In certain cases, when a child must bring a phone to school, it will be handed over to the homeroom teacher at the start of the day, kept in a designated place, and returned afterward. For grades 7–12, restricted use is proposed. And it’s not only about phones, but also tablets, smartwatches, and all devices. Strict use would be allowed exclusively for educational purposes, under the teacher’s instruction and supervision. This could happen once or twice a week,” she explained.
City Hall also proposes that all schools ensure the legal basis for implementation by including these rules in their internal disciplinary regulations and informing students and parents in advance about the consequences. Agreements should be made regarding what would happen if, for example, a phone is nevertheless found with a student.
Khachatryan further suggested monitoring in 15 schools — about 10 percent of the total — selected based on level, number of students, and geography. “At the end of the year, after an initial evaluation and before a total ban is introduced, we should assess physical, social, psychological indicators, student activity, and of course the quality of academic performance,” she said, adding that the program would be sent to schools within the next two days.
Mayor Avinyan, in turn, emphasized: “I suggest we first send it out for feedback, gather and summarize the opinions, and then propose final solutions for everyone. I am confident that students may initially resist our decision to some extent, but in terms of education quality, their daily routines, and even their happiness, these restrictions will undoubtedly have a positive effect.”
