Should cellphones be permitted in schools? – This has been a point of contention since before Covid-19. In Maharashtra, the ban on mobile phones was recently announced by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Every state and state government has its own set of rules. What parents, principals, and students have to say about mobile phone use in Mumbai schools is provided below.
Principals are sceptical of the mobile ban
Principals argue that the ban on cell phones is entirely debatable and that it is not necessary to prohibit their use in schools. They suggest that an age restriction could be added as well, allowing students older than a given age to carry the device.
“Parents are primarily interested in tracking their children” said Nutan Iyer, Principal of Diamond Jubilee High School, ICSE, Mumbai. She stated that students who bring cellphones to school are asked to leave them at the school offices upon arrival and pick them up again when classes are dismissed.
The principal further explained that if the word “ban” were to be used to decrease sexual crimes, coaching classes, parents, and schools would all need to take action to prevent students from using their phones. Instead, “we need to find a solution that’s possible for schools, parents and students as a result of ban the device would mean going back to a system of communication by email that is many years previous and has been a cumbersome method for parents also as somewhat inconvenient.”
Parents are divided on the impact of the measure
However, there is some disagreement among parents regarding the desire to track their kids. They claim that taking a child’s phone away from them these days is very challenging.
The act of her son bringing a cell phone to school, according to Rupa Agarwal, a parent from Santacruz, is not something she supports.”He somehow manages to bring the phone to school despite being repeatedly warned not to do so. And when we stop him, he starts arguing with us,” Rupa said.
Parents worry that their kids are addicted to using their phones so much that if they lose the device, they won’t be able to function. Despite not favouring, they seem helpless.
Surveys on use of mobile in school premise
According to a survey carried out by the Palacky University in the Czech Republic’s Department of Psychology and Abnormal Psychology in June 2022, students who were not permitted to use mobile phones in class were falling behind in a number of areas, including the level of competition and understanding. On the other hand, students who were permitted to use their phones in class engaged in fights more frequently than those who weren’t.
Schools have been troubled by the mobile device ban because, as the drawbacks fade, so do the benefits of using the devices.
Alternatives are suggested by educators.
“Students today are totally dependent on the internet and cannot imagine life without it,” said Dr Sangeeta Shetty, administrative director of the Bhatia Group of Schools. She suggested giving every student a non-smartphone to reduce crime in schools and allow parents to track their children’s whereabouts.
“This will satisfy the schools, the parents and the students,” the headmistress said.
Youths argue against the mobile phone ban.
Parents and principals may have differing opinions, but students are adamant that cellphone use in class should be permitted.
Anoushka Devadiga, a grade 9 student from Kurla, said, “It would be very strange for us if we won’t be allowed to carry our mobile to school.” She stated that she and her friends bring cell phones to school in order to avoid peer pressure.
With principals, students, and parents squabbling over the issue, it is now critical that the government come up with a solution that is acceptable to all.
