Smartphones in class are the central stress factor in many colleges: They generate distraction, prevent concentrated learning, hinder lesson time and lead to conflicts, rule violations or cyberbullying more and more frequently. Schools increasingly need technical solutions that enable the consistent implementation of existing mobile phone regulations without permanently tying up educational resources.

The nationwide Starting Opportunity Program opens up a unique opportunity here. As the largest education program in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, it provides funding for schools that support socially challenging students over a period of ten years. Many purchases — including educational prevention measures, equipment and school conditions — are eligible for funding.

In this article, we will show you in a practical way how LOCKSTA, a technical system for secure smartphone storage, can be applied for as an eligible measure — in every federal state and for every type of school.

Why LOCKSTA is eligible

The starting opportunities program consists of three pillars. For schools, in particular Pillar I (investment funds) and Pillar II (Opportunity budget) relevant. LOCKSTA is clearly attributable to both areas.

Pillar I — Investment Aid

Objective according to the federal-state agreement:

“Creating a contemporary environment conducive to learning. ”

Reasoning for your request:
Today, a modern environment conducive to learning does not only mean access to digital devices, but also conscious use of them.
LOCKSTA creates clear analog learning spaces, in which students can concentrate on their work, free from digital distraction.

Comparable to sound insulation, privacy protection or relaxation areas, LOCKSTA acts as spatial measure to promote concentration and supports educational work in class.

Pillar II — Opportunity Budget

Objective according to the program:

“Strengthening basic competencies and socio-emotional development. ”

Reasoning for your request:
LOCKSTA specifically supports development:

• Executive functions (self-regulation, focus)
• Social competence (conflict prevention, dealing with media)
• media prevention (particularly cyberbullying)

Locking smartphones away during class time reduces disruptions and increases learning time. At the same time, the measure promotes social interaction during breaks — an important building block for school as a living space.

This is how schools successfully apply for funding

The process is similar in all federal states, with only slight differences in formalities. The following process is considered “best practice” nationwide.

Step 1: Check if your school is participating

Each federal state publishes its own lists of starting opportunities or informs school administrators directly.

Tip:

• Check the website of your Ministry of Education or Education.
• Many federal states (e.g. NRW, Hesse, Bavaria, Berlin, Lower Saxony) have named official starting opportunity schools.
• If unclear: Check with the school authorities.

Step 2: Determine the appropriate conveyor pot

a) Opportunity budget (pillar II) — the fast, unbureaucratic way

Many schools here have high autonomy:

• Decision by school conference or steering group
• Budget can be used directly for educational prevention measures
• Ideal for small to medium-sized purchases (e.g. vintage sets, pilot groups)

b) Investment funds (pillar I) — ideal for comprehensive equipment

If the entire school is equipped (e.g. 400—1,000 cases), this is often done via the School board:

• Report a need via school management
• Coordination with school administration office
• Entry in the institution's investment plan

Pillar I is ideal when schools need long-term, resilient equipment.

Step 3: The pilot strategy — the best way to get started

In conferences in particular, a pilot project, such as:

• Volume 7 or 8
• A grade level with particularly high media consumption
• or a major educational year

advantages:

• lower acquisition costs
• very high approval chances
• Measurable results (disruptions, cyberbullying, learning time)
• solid basis for reasoning for later scaling

Step 4: Text modules for your application

You can incorporate this text one-on-one into your school program, media concept or an application to the school board:

Text module:
“The purchase of the LOCKSTA system serves to implement the program goal of 'promoting an environment conducive to learning' in accordance with the federal-state agreement of the start-up opportunities program. By physically locking smartphones away during class time, digital distraction is systematically reduced. The measure increases net learning time, strengthens basic skills (in particular reading skills, concentration, written language work) and supports students' socio-emotional development through low-conflict, analog breaks. LOCKSTA is an educationally effective, preventive measure against cyberbullying and teaching disorders. ”

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Important information for all federal states

• All countries have their own guidelines, but Objectives and funding priorities are the same nationwide.
• In many countries, schools can decide autonomously on opportunity budgets.
• When it comes to investments, the school board always decides.
• The funds are over 10 years ready — but many schools have already completed their first budget rounds.

Official sources (valid nationwide)

• Federal Ministry of Education and Research: Information on the federal-state agreement
• Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK): Overview & content of the program
• State ministries (e.g. NRW, Berlin, Hesse, Lower Saxony): country-specific implementation

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