Restrictions on Use of mobile phones in the classrooms

The mobile phone has emerged as the single electronic gadget that has been consuming class time of some teachers. The social media or other entertainment aspects of mobiles hardly contribute anything towards the syllabus which is to be taught primarily to students in theclassrooms. It has been seen that many teachers take mobile phones in to the classrooms during teaching hours for their personal use and not for any professional requirement. This diverts teaching time in the classroom to other purposes that are unproductive for the academic improvement of children.

The Hon’ble Minister for Education, Government of Andhra Pradesh has chaired a meeting on 03.08.2023 regarding consultations on “Promoting Ease of Living through Good Governance and use of technology in Schooling”. Among other topics, a detailed discussion took place on the impact of the use of mobile phones in classrooms, inparticular, and school premises in general. The general consensus among the teachers, union representatives and education experts was to restrict the use of mobile phones in the classrooms as the negative impact of mobile phones on learning outweighs its utility.

Further, in accordance with the recent UNESCO Report (2023), andrecognizing the escalating concerns surrounding the detrimental efects ofmobile phone usage on students’ academic performance and well-being, itis hereby mandated that all educational institutions within the stateenforce immediate and resolute measures to regulate mobile phoneusage. The primary objective is to strike a harmonious balance betweenthe benefts of technology and the potential detriments arising fromexcessive mobile phone usage.

In the contemporary world, mobile phones have garnered animmense user base of 6.378 billion globally, encompassing approximately80.69% of the global population. The management of smartphone usage presents challenges, particularly within the student demography. Researchunderscores a plethora of compelling reasons to curtail mobile phoneusage. Notably, a study has illuminated the difculty students encounter inmaintaining concentration when studying in close proximity to theirphones, even in cases where active usage is absent. Moreover, there ismounting evidence linking smartphone usage to diminished sleep quality,heightened stress levels, and compromised concentration.

Within educational settings, the proliferation of mobile phones raisespertinent concerns, centering around their implications for academicinstitutions. Principally, these concerns encompass:
1. Impact on academic performance:

The infuence of mobile phone usage on students’ academic performance remains a pivotal concern for educational institutions.
2. Well-being considerations:The potential ramifcations of mobile phone usage on the well-being ofstudents necessitate careful examination and management.
3. Addressing online bullying and safeguarding issues:Educational institutions are compelled to address multifacetedchallenges posed by online bullying and other related safeguardingmatters in the context of mobile phone usage.
4. Educator Infuence and Classroom Dynamics:The utilization of mobile phones by educators within the classroom settinghas garnered attention for its infuence on student engagement. Regrettably, when teachers employ cell phones within the classroom, students’ focus is compromised.

Furthermore, the adoption of suchpractices by students as a result of emulation can disrupt educationalactivities, culminating in decreased attentiveness during lessons.The pervasive impact of mobile phone usage necessitates ajudicious approach within educational contexts.

As the researchilluminates the multifarious challenges posed by these devices, addressingthem becomes imperative to safeguard academic performance, studentwell-being, and the learning environment as a whole.Hence, it is here by decided to impose restrictions on theusage of the mobile phones in the classrooms during theinstructional hours and the following Guidelines for RegulatingMobile Phone Usage in Educational Institutions are issued:

1. Teacher Obligations:

a. Henceforth, no teacher shall take mobile phones to the classrooms.
b. Teachers are prohibited from using mobile phones for personal purposes during instructional hours.
c. Teachers are required to deposit their mobile phones, set to silent mode, with the Headmaster of the school immediately after marking File No.ESE02/828/2023-SCERT their attendance in the morning.

2. Educational Deployment:

a. If a teacher intends to utilize a mobile phone for instructional purposes, its incorporation must be meticulously detailed in the lesson plan and should be approved in advance by the headmaster. It should be on the basis of explicitly stated educational objectives.

b. Any necessity to employ mobile phones as hotspots for educational purposes must be explicitly outlined in the lesson plan and approved by the respective headmaster in advance.

c. If for any unavoidable reasons, mobile phone is required to be taken to the class room for academic or non-academic use by a teacher, prior permission should be taken from the head of the school and valid reasons should be recorded in a register to be maintained for the purpose.

3. Storage of Mobile Phones:

a. Under no circumstances are students authorized to bring mobile phones into classrooms.

b. The use of mobile phones by students during class sessions is strictly and unequivocally prohibited.

c. The mobile phones shall be kept stashed in the staf room or in an area ear-marked by the Head of School for this purpose. This place where mobile phones shall be kept could be the head of school room, staf room, the clerk or any other employee whom the head of school may make the custodian thereof.

d. In the event of a genuine emergency, mobile phone can be used with the prior permission of the Headmaster.

4. Student Restrictions:

a. Under no circumstances are students authorized to bring mobile phones into classrooms.

b. The use of mobile phones by students during class sessions is strictly and unequivocally prohibited.

5. Usage of Government-Supplied Devices:

Government-provided digital devices (including Interactive Flat Panels, Smart TVs, Tablets, etc.) are exclusively designated for educational instruction within the classroom environment and in no case they shall be used for any non-academic activities.

6. Administrative Responsibilities: Administrative tasks necessitating mobile device usage should be concluded prior to or subsequent to instructional hours (i.e. before 9.30 am or after 4 pm). The marking of students attendance though mobile app, MDM and other prescribed activities shall be done prior to the start of instructional hours. If by any chance any such activities have to be done after the start of class, it shall be done only by the Headmaster or File No.ESE02/828/2023-SCERT the teacher authorised by the HM.

7. Enforcement of Disciplinary Measures: Non-compliance with these directives will be considered with utmost seriousness, leading to appropriate disciplinary measures.

If any teacher violates the cell phone usage policy, the following steps shall be taken;

a. First offence:

The teacher’s mobile phone will be confscated by the HM/Officer and held in the main office until the end of the school day. Before being allowed to pick up their phone at the end of the day, teacher must give an undertaking to not repeat the offence.

b. Second offence:

The teacher’s mobile phone will be confscated and held in the main once until the end of the school day. The Mandal Education Officer will be contacted and informed of the refusal to follow the mobile phone policy. Teacher may pick up their phones after discussion with the MEO and a warning.

c. Third ofence: The teacher’s mobile phone will be confscated and sent to the District Education Ofcer. Errant teachers may pick up their phones after discussion with the DEO and recording the same in the service book.

8. Oversight and Reporting:

a. Headmasters are tasked with vigilant supervision and adherence to these directives.

b. Any deviations from these instructions must be meticulously documented in the notice book and promptly communicated to inspecting authorities for necessary action.

c. All inspecting officers, whether on regular inspection or surprise inspections, shall ensure to check whether or not compliance of these instructions is being made meticulously. In case of any violation, action against the head of school shall be proposed by the inspecting officer.

d. If any substantive complaint is received from any other person like students or general public that these guidelines are being violated in any campus then the head of school shall be held squarely accountable.

Rigorous implementation of these instructions is of paramount importance to cultivate an optimal learning atmosphere while mitigating the potential negative implications of mobile phone usage on academic accomplishments and students’ overall well-being. Wholehearted adherence to these guidelines can ensure a harmonious fusion of technology in education, with an unwavering focus on nurturing the holistic development of our students.

DEOs should communicate these  instructions to all schools through the MEOs concerned and give wide publicity. They shall also conduct awareness meetings/workshops with teachers to help smooth implementation of these directions. Dedicated cooperation and adherence to these guidelines would be profoundly appreciated. Collective attempts can forge an educational environment that harnesses the positive attributes of technology while safeguarding the well-being of students.