【明報專訊】In France, students are banned from using mobile phones in schools starting from September 2018. The new law also covers tablets and smartwatches. It affects pupils in primary and junior schools until they are around 15 years old.

Nearly 90% of French 12 to 17-year-olds had a mobile phone in 2016. The French government believes the new law could help stop pupils from being distracted by phones in class. It is also hoped the new law will help tackle online bullying. Jean-Michel Blanquer, the French Education Minister, said that the law would improve discipline among France's 12 million pupils.

However, critics dismissed the rule, saying that it would be difficult to enforce. The government is leaving schools to decide how to implement the new rule. It is recommended that students' phones are stored in lockers during the day, but not all schools have lockers.

(sources: Ming Pao, BBC)

■English highway﹕enforce

To "enforce" is to make people obey a rule or law.

e.g. The new parking restrictions will be strictly enforced.

■Quiz

Answer the following questions.

1. French students can use tablets and smartwatches in schools.

True / False

2. Where can students put their phones during the day?

Students can store their phones in ______ in schools.

3. Find a word in the article which has a similar meaning to "students".

_____________________________

(Answers on next text)

■Game

Bill went to the locker and got back his smartwatch after the last lesson. He found the time displayed on the watch was distorted. What is the correct time?

(Hint: It's a mirror image)

■Glossary

tackle (v) 解決

discipline (n) 紀律

critics (n) 批評者

dismiss (v) 駁回

[Smarties' Power English 第222期]