A state government decision to ban mobile phones in thousands of public school classrooms has been hailed a success.

The NSW government’s decision in 2023 has improved student learning and concentration and encouraged young people to socialise more.

An Education Department survey of almost 1000 public school principals found huge support for the ban, with 95 per cent reporting positive results.

“One year in it’s clear, this was the right decision,” Premier Chris Minns said in a statement on Monday.

“Without the distraction of a mobile phone in their pockets, students have been able to focus on their learning, while building stronger relationships with their classmates.”

The survey also found 81 per cent of principals agreed students’ learning had improved, 87 per cent said students were less distracted in the classroom and 86 per cent said socialising had improved.

The ban was introduced at the beginning of term 4 in 2023.

Riverstone High School principal Rosemary Daubney credited the ban with an uptake in sporting activities amongst her students, particularly for touch football and basketball.

“In breaks, I used to see students sitting alone, looking at their screens,” she said in a statement

“Now, they are playing games, touch football and basketball.

“They are laughing and running around, having a good time and talking to each other.”