The NSW opposition is pushing for a total ban on students having phones at school as a parliamentary inquiry into a chronic shortage of teachers hears from experts who agree with the proposal.
Labor says mobile phones are a distraction for pupils and something which is being reflected in academic performances.
It says compared to other countries in the Programme for International Student Assessment rankings, the state has slumped to 23rd in reading, 31st in maths and 23rd in science.
