19/05/2022, 02:24 Mercury Reader

nst.com.my

Nov. 30th, 2021 Send to Kindle

Covers content
Not interested
Inappropriate
Seen to often

-NSTP file pic, for illustration purpose only.

summary
LETTERS: The use of smartphones in schools has been intensely debated in the
media by proponents and an equal number of opponents.

Each giving their diverging views. In the end, most schools decided to ban the
use of smartphones for students in schools. Some went a step further by
banning bringing smartphones to school.

https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2021/11/750144/allow-smartphones-schools 1/3
19/05/2022, 02:24 Mercury Reader

The Ministry of Education (MoE) recently launched a survey on their Facebook

page to gauge public sentiments on allowing students to use their mobile
phones in school.

In July 2018, in a Parliamentary reply, the minister of education said that the
ministry would provide guidance for schools to develop policies and rules to
regulate the use of mobile devices in schools, based on their student profiles
and needs.

He reiterated that there was no blanket ban of smartphones in schools.

The minister further stated that the ministry would continue to monitor
developments and work closely with schools to put in place measures and
structures pertaining to smartphones to ensure a conducive teaching and
learning environment. Paraphrase
However, the public is still awaiting guidelines on use of smartphones in
schools. In the absence of the guidelines, most schools set their own rules and
conditions on the use of smartphones.

The easiest and most convenient way was to ban smartphones in schools.

Such outright ban deprives and violates the rights of students on the use of
smartphones. Students are also individuals and we have to respect their rights.

Disallowing bringing smartphones to schools would completely cut off the

means of communication between the student and his parents or guardian.

The communication between the student and his parents is absolutely vital in
urgent or emergency situations.

School rules and conditions are set and implemented by the schools themselves
to ensure they are observed by the students and fellow teachers.

Schools do not encounter problems in monitoring so far. Why would schools

anticipate problems monitoring the rules and conditions set for smartphones?
https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2021/11/750144/allow-smartphones-schools 2/3
19/05/2022, 02:24 Mercury Reader

Is it because this would be an added responsibility?

We have to arrive at an amicable solution on smartphones. We need to evaluate

the issue rationally and fairly. On that note, we need to consider the rights and
wellbeing of the students as well.

In the process to come to a final decision, some parties may have to make some
sacrifices and some may take on more responsibilities.

In order not to violate the rights of students and satisfy the use of smartphones
in emergencies, I would suggest students be permitted to bring their
smartphones to school.

However, the only condition is the phones must be switched off while they are
in classes.

And, the phones could only be switched on during recess or when the school is
over. This arrangement should suit the students and parents.

WONG SOO KAN

Petaling Jaya, Selangor

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily
reflect those of the New Straits Times

https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2021/11/750144/allow-smartphones-schools

https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2021/11/750144/allow-smartphones-schools 3/3