My Government has recently delivered on its commitment to ban students from using mobile phones at school.

From the start of term 4, students in public high schools across NSW must now have their mobile phones turned off and out of sight.

This ban will ensure more productive classrooms for students and teachers and reduce opportunities for distractions and cyberbullying. It means our children can now focus on what is most important – learning in the classroom.

Students are permitted to carry a phone travelling to and from schools and teachers can authorise the use of mobile phones for educational or student wellbeing purposes.

This is just one of several measures the Government is putting in place to improve the classroom environment and student outcomes, which have declined under 12 years of fromer Liberal Governments.

I have made a record investment in the State’s education system at the NSW Budget, including giving the largest pay rise in decades to our teaches.

In addition, I am delivering permanent literacy and numeracy tutoring programs in primary and secondary schools to ensure our children receive the highest quality education possible.

As Premier of NSW, making sure children are getting the most out of their time at school is a top priority of mine.

That is why I have committed $8 million to expand Foodbank’s School Breakfast Health program to an additional 500 schools in NSW.

The additional funding will deliver more than 4 million free breakfasts to 1,000 public schools across NSW.

This program is an important step to not only help local families deal with the cost of living but also give our children the best start to every school day.

Finally, I want to send a message to the people of NSW that I will continue to work hard to deliver a world class education system for our children and give our teachers the support, they need.

Yours sincerely,

The Hon. Chris Minns MP
Premier of New South Wales
Member for Kogarah