No cells in schools , colleges

The Telangana government has banned the use of mobile phones in all educational institutions in the state. The move follows the rise in misuse of cellphones in schools. As of now, neither students nor teachers will be allowed to carry mobiles into class rooms.

Commissioners of school education, Telangana, issued the orders to this effect on December 31, 2014. He has asked the district education officers and the regional joint director of school education to implement the instructions.

The orders stated that ‘use of cellphones in educational institutions is prohibited’ and that “neither teachers nor students should be permitted to carry mobiles in classrooms”.     

Mixed reaction to mobile ban, parents for counseling :

In view of the orders issued by the commissioner of the school education, Telangana issued orders that cellphones would not be allowed in classrooms. The school managements are making provisions for lockers for the safe- keeping of mobiles. 

However, it is not clear if the students can avail of het same facility.

The move was recommended by the Committee on safety and Security of Women and Girls in Telangana under the chairmanship of Poonam Malakondaiah, the principal secretary to the government, agriculture.

She said, “We had undertaken a detailed exercise and the committee spoke to head of over 100 private and government educational institutions found the use of cellphones to be a diversion”.

Students, however, nurse their own concerns. Namerah, a student of Class VIII, said, “It is not that all students misuse the phones. I want a mobile with me so that I can call someone if I don’t feel safe or if something happens.”

Taking pictures or videos of girls will definitely go down if the order is implemented. However, misuse outside the school can’t be ruled out. Students should be counselled in schools”, said Rafia Syeda, mother of three school- going children.

TS United Teachers’ Federation district general secretary A. Venkat welcomed the move and said a few union members including cellpones in the classroom since 2012. He said cellphones disturbs teachers and students.