Estonia’s Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, shared her country’s progressive stance on mobile phones and technology in schools at the Education World Forum in London. While many European countries are sceptical of screen use, Estonia fully integrates smartphones into its education system. There are no nationwide bans; instead, schools set their own rules, and mobile phones are commonly used for learning activities. Sixteen-year-olds, for example, can vote online using their phones—so the government sees it as inconsistent and illogical to restrict phone use in educational settings.
Estonia’s embrace of technology began with its 1997 Tiigrihüpe (Tiger Leap) programme, which rapidly brought internet access to every school. Today, the country sees AI and smartphones as essential tools for the future of education. Kallas predicts a shift away from traditional learning methods—like essays and rote memorisation—towards oral assessment and high-level cognitive skills. Her message is urgent: either education evolves to prioritise higher-order thinking, or risk being left behind by rapidly advancing technology.
While our government wastes time banning phones in schools and trying to keep kids off social media, Estonia—a country half the size of the South Island—is preparing its students for the real world. Their education minister, Kristina Kallas, made it clear this week: mobile phones and AI aren’t the enemy—they’re tools. And in Estonia, they’re already integrated into daily learning. No hysteria, no blanket bans. Just practical, future-focused teaching.
Sixteen-year-olds there can vote online using their phones. Estonia doesn’t ban that; they expect it. And schools? They use phones for assignments, research, civic engagement—even oral exams that develop genuine critical thinking. Meanwhile, we’re sending mixed messages to our own students: “Don’t use your phone in class… but do use it for everything else in life.” It’s not just confusing—it’s negligent.
Here’s the truth we need to face: technology isn’t going away, and banning it won’t make our classrooms better. What will? Training teachers to use it effectively. Integrate AI tools into our curriculum. Teach students how to evaluate sources, fact-check, collaborate online, and think. That’s the real work. And yes—our teachers might have to spend a bit less time on political posturing and more time actually preparing kids for the 21st century. We owe it to the students.
If Estonia can do it, so can we. It’s time to stop pretending we can ban our way to better education. Let’s get smart, get real, and get on with it.
eN-Zed 