By Steve Bargeton, political editor

MINISTERS ARE to urge councils to bring in tough new rules to ban mobile phones in the classroom.

The issue has already been raised at Forfar Academy in Angus and by Dundee City Council and teaching union the EIS.

Now, education minister Hugh Henry is writing to local authorities calling on them to crack down on the use of phones.

His action has been prompted by an alleged ‘happy slapping’ attack on a school rector which was filmed on a mobile.

“He does not have the power to ban mobile phones from school but that’s what he is urging councils to do,” said a source close to the education minister.

“He is telling them to ensure that every school has clear and effective guidelines in place about the use of mobile phones.

“Every school should have clear policies and make sure that any abuse, such as using these phones to bully or humiliate, is punished. Head teachers already have the power to confiscate mobile phones that are being abused and he expects them to use that.”

Teaching unions called for schools to be made “mobile phone-free zones” following the filming of an alleged attack on a head teacher.

The EIS has been working with councils on guidance to schools but has reported a rise in ‘happy slapping’ incidents involving mobiles.

Dundee City Council is working on a code of practice and Glasgow City Council expects to have new guidance out to schools by the end of this week.

But Kathleen Marshall, Scotland’s commissioner for children and young people, said pupils should be consulted on the issue.

“With mobile phones now an accepted part of life, there is a need to ensure that wherever they are used, whether that be schools, offices or public transport, it is done responsibly and with regard to the surrounding environment,” she said.