Didak Buntić’s elementary school in Čitluk has introduced strict house rules that include a complete ban on cell phones, as well as clear rules about students’ appearance. While there are public discussions about digital freedoms, this school says that the decision was necessary. The BHRT team checked how the students react to the “digital detox” and strict house rules, and what the profession and parents say about everything.
The decision was not made overnight. The school management, led by the director, has been thinking about introducing rules for three years, and after discussions with the Parents’ Council, the rules were officially adopted. They say that the school is an educational institution, not a catwalk, and that there are sanctions for disobeying the rules.
Božana Bevanda, headmistress of Fr. Didak Buntić Elementary School in Čitluk, points out that pedagogic measures have been adopted, including sanctions for students who do not follow the rules. First comes a warning, and the students are left with a period of adjustment.
Although such bans are often considered radical in the digital age, the school received strong support from parents.
Mirna Laho, deputy president of the Council of Parents, states that around 80 percent of parents have declared for a complete ban on the use of cell phones and other digital devices. They expect the school to be a safer and more stimulating place to learn.
Order in the classrooms was restored not only by banning technology, but also by clear rules about dress and appearance. Teachers are already noticing changes in the classroom atmosphere.
Matija Macan, the Croatian language teacher, says that the students communicate more, socialize and show greater mutual interaction. He points out that the ban could contribute to healthier social relations and the return of the “living word” among children.
The pedagogic service emphasizes that the goal of these measures is to set clear boundaries and guide students.
Milenka Šego, pedagogue, points out that it is important to show children what is allowed and what is not.
Interestingly, the oldest students show a high level of understanding and support for this decision.
Students emphasize that school should be a place for learning, socializing and development, not a place for using mobile phones and following social networks. They believe that a clear boundary has been set and that the new rules will contribute to a better atmosphere.
Whether the Čitluk model will become an example for other schools in Herzegovina, time will tell. For now, the school is once again filled with children’s noise rather than the sound of notifications.
