A ban on mobile phone use in Victorian public schools aimed at curbing distraction and cyberbullying has divided opinion among teachers and students.

Key points: Phones must be kept in lockers from first to last bell

Phones must be kept in lockers from first to last bell Education Minister James Merlino concedes the ban will not be popular but is the "right thing to do"

Education Minister James Merlino concedes the ban will not be popular but is the "right thing to do" The aim is to reduce distraction in the classroom and to stamp out cyberbullying

Education Minister James Merlino said the ban, which would be in place during school hours in state primary and secondary schools, would start in the first term of 2020.

Phones must be kept in school lockersby their phones. ( ABC News: Pete Harmsen )

The Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals president Sue Bell said taking phones away from students would not teach them to manage their phone use.

She said phones were used by students for important reasons, such as calendars to work out assignment due dates and class locations and times.

"I think it's going to cause lot of grief," she told ABC Radio Melbourne.

"We don't want teachers in conflict with students. Some students will want the ban, but many won't.

"I'd rather have teachers in front of the class teaching and inspiring learning rather than standing at the door having students turning out their pockets."

'Education should come first'

Melbourne teenager Adam agreed with the ban and said students at his school snuck phones into class.

"Education