Do students need to use phones in school?

SOME PARENTS WANT A BAN, OTHERS THINK DEVICES HELP

- BY LAKSHANA PALAT

The Ministry of Education recently announced a ban on students carrying mobile phones into school premises while establishing clear regulations on inspection and confiscation of phones found in their possession.

A circular was addressed to school principals and kindergartens regarding the prohibition of mobile phones. The decision is aimed to protect students from the risks associated with phones and to promote positive behaviour within a safe learning environment.

While this is mostly aimed at public schools in the UAE, private schools have taken a more tempered approach. Nevertheless, what do parents feel about it? Some believe that banning phones is for the best, while others prefer a more middle-ground approach.

‘I had my first phone when I was 15 years old’

Sumit Augustine, a Dubai-based mother, believes it isn’t appropriate for children, especially those younger than 10 years old, to carry mobile phones to school.

“I remember I had my first phone when I was 15 years old and that too, only because I had to use it to call my parents to pick me up from tuition classes which was after school and, or on weekends.” she says.

She explains that her school had a strict ‘no mobile phone’ policy and handled emergencies directly.

“The school would call our parents. We had school transport so our parents knew we would be coming back home after school,” she says.

Special pouches for phones