Madam commissioner

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"While eliminating phones from classrooms makes sense, there is a caveat. Phones, whether we like it or not, are a fact of life." - Maja Dragovi?

Time to hang up?

Back to school and back to the ban the phone use in schools discussion. Media was recently covered with headlines that the Netherlands is imposing a nationwide ban on phone use in primary and secondary schools. Meanwhile, France is piloting a similar ban across 180 schools for pupils up to the age of 15, seeking to give children a “digital break”. Students must hand in their phones upon arrival at school, and if the pilot proves successful, the ban will be introduced nationwide from January next year. In Slovenia, and elsewhere in the Adriatic region, there are no plans for a nationwide ban, phone use is still up to individual schools or municipalities.? ?

Case in point: at a parents’ meeting at my daughter’s high school last week, the principal only had one news to share with us,?"This year, we will require students to put their phones away during a class unless the teacher allows them for academic purposes." Students caught disobeying the rule would face consequences, although these were not specified.?It is the first week of school after all. Punish as we go. ?

This type of news most parents will welcome. Enough research is out there showing that mobile phones distract students and reduce their ability to concentrate, which negatively impacts their learning abilities. OECD research into digital impact on maths students finds that, on average, 30% of students are distracted by the personal phone use during class.? ?

While eliminating phones from classrooms makes sense, there is a caveat. Phones, whether we like it or not, are a fact of life. Just in the first quarter this year in Slovenia, we have made 324 million calls and sent 383 million text messages.? ?

In the USA, schools have embraced phones as educational tools, integrating them into learning through apps and digital platforms. I spoke to a high school teacher here in Ljubljana recently who has a similar approach and doesn’t believe in a nationwide ban. As a maths teacher, she encourages the use of phones for academic purposes, such as using the Desmos app.? ?

The reality is that phones and other digital tools are an integral part of our children’s future. There is a fine line between eliminating phones from schools and teaching students to use phones responsibly. As to the latter, it needs to be incorporated into their education. But we are still exploring the how and the when.

EU doubles down on enlargement

Brussels has created a new commissioner role dedicated to enlargement, signalling renewed commitment to integrating the Western Balkans. Announced at Slovenia's Bled Forum, the move aims to accelerate EU expansion by 2030. With €6bn pledged and reforms underway, the EU sees enlargement as crucial for its global standing. However, Russian disinformation remains a key concern in the region. Read on.

Weekend tête-à-tête

Fresh sounds and fast news

Matja? Ambro?i? is a versatile music editor, music critic, and blogger, with an ear for sounds and a keen eye for fast-paced news. His career has taken him from London, where he was a correspondent for RTV Slovenija, to his current role as a music critic at Val 202, while also writing music reviews for 24ur.com. Recently, he and his wife, Nika, moved back to Ljubljana after 16 years in London. A self-confessed news junkie, keto diet follower, and die-hard Chelsea fan, his advice to aspiring journalists is simple: "Have fun!"

Where will we find you this weekend?

Me and my wife like to escape to Trieste and a beach near Muggia over weekends during the summer. This weekend, we will be visiting Trieste once again but no beach this time. It’s our tradition to close the summer season with a nice dinner in Trieste. So, we’ll do some shopping and enjoy a great meal.

Sunday mornings: slow or zippy?

Actually, very, very slow. I am so busy during the week that I like to take it easy on Sundays.

Books or news?

Always news, I'm afraid, predominantly from the web, our office and TV – I like to jump the channels. So, obviously, I am not the most patient person to immerse myself in a book.

What's on the speakers?

As a professional listener and a music critic, it's always something new, always something that is ultra fresh from Spotify – something that is practically just 24 hours old.?

Eating in or out??

Sundays are pretty much in, and my wife usually prepares something traditional like a Sunday roast. But I follow keto diet and I’m quite strict with it: no carbs, just meat and veggies.

Whisky or wine?

Neither, I’m a tee-total. Black tea is my go-to drink, plus some green tea mixed with water during the day.?

Sunday lunch topics?

Nothing specific, maybe family, shopping, and lately décor for the flat since we are renovating.

What's something you can't live without??

That would be my laptop. The format is quite nice for me since I wear glasses.

Why journalism?

Because I am quite hectic, and not the most patient person in this world. Fast paced profession suits me fine.

Any tips for aspiring young journalists?

Be vocal, be smart, respect people, have fun!

Regional snapshot

Montenegro’s president and PM clash as capital heads for elections

Just over a year ago, Montenegro celebrated as the long-reigning Milo ?ukanovi? had finally been unseated, ending decades of his grip on power. Fast forward to today President Jakov Milatovi? and Prime Minister Milojko Spaji?, former allies turned rivals, are locked in a fierce contest for control of the capital, Podgorica. Just two years since its last elections, the denizens of Podgorica will once again be heading to the polls, where a mix of parties will be competing for the 58 seats in the city’s assembly. The decision to hold snap elections stems from a rift within the ruling Evropa Sad!, the political powerhouse that brought down ?ukanovi?. Earlier this year, President Milatovi? resigned from his roles within the party, triggering a breakdown in relations. By late July, five city councillors loyal to Milatovi? voted to shorten the assembly’s mandate, paving the way for elections on 29 September.

German giant to power North Macedonia’s economic ambitions

North Macedonia is set to become the newest player in Europe’s battery production scene, with German lithium-ion battery manufacturer BMZ announcing plans to open a factory near Skopje. The facility, projected to generate annual exports exceeding €360 million, marks a major coup for the Balkan nation as it looks to bolster its economic credentials on the global stage. The €65 million investment deal will see the creation of 755 jobs and position BMZ into a sector poised for success amid the global shift towards greener economies. While the deal was initialised during the tenure of the previous government, which oversaw an investment cycle exceeding €950 million over the past two and a half years, the country’s ambitions to attract foreign cash now appear more credible.

Slovenia's pick for EU commissioner withdraws

In a swift about-face, Slovenia has withdrawn Toma? Vesel's candidacy for the incoming European Commission. The decision came after Prime Minister Robert Golob huddled with Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the Bled Strategic Forum. Vesel's erstwhile role as head of Slovenia's Court of Audit left him with few appealing options in Brussels. Von der Leyen, in her quest for gender parity, has been turning the screws on smaller EU states – dangling plum posts as bait. Romania has already taken the hint, floating a female nominee. Now Ljubljana is eyeing the newly minted enlargement portfolio, with a bevy of potential candidates. Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon is in the mix, despite her non-party status. Also on the shortlist: EU development policy maven Marjeta Jager, ex-diplomat Marta Kos from Golob's party, and MEP Irena Joveva.

The Regional snapshot is prepared by Andra? Tav?ar.

The Pulse

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Eye on the prize

Join us on 11 September, at 9 AM at the Chamber of Commerce in Ljubljana for Delo’s exports conference. Focused on exploring the opportunities and challenges of doing business in India, the event? will feature discussions on strategies and real-world experiences from prominent Slovenian export companies operating in other non-traditional markets. A must-attend for businesses looking to expand their global footprint.

Let’s talk healthcare

Here’s also a gentle reminder that Delo will be hosting its annual healthcare conference come 24 September. The event will showcase actionable international guidelines for building a high-quality and efficient healthcare system, along with practical solutions to address the many challenges facing the sector today. Don't miss this opportunity to see what’s working globally and how it can work for us, too.

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