No handphones in schools

WHEN initial reports about students being allowed to use handphones in schools were first released, many teachers were incredulous.

There were already enough problems in schools where the ruling against handphones was strictly enforced. With the lifting of the ban, all hell was bound to break loose.

We shuddered in our staff rooms, imagining the consequences.

It was a great relief therefore when the announcement to renew the handphone ban came shortly after that – although there were a few raised eyebrows and wry comments passed about the “now it’s on-now it’s off” thing.

During the period between the first and second announcements, many “letters to the editor” were written and opinions given about the ruling – both in favour of, and against, the bringing of handphones to schools.

While teachers were generally opposed to the idea, some parents were pleased.

“Times have changed,” one parent wrote. “We need to keep in touch with our children. How else will they reach us in case of emergencies?”

One colleague remarked, “The way some parents go on, you would think their offspring came into the world clutching handphones to their ears.”

Many teachers laughed quietly when further “restrictions” on the use of the handphone were outlined.

“Only during break time, in the canteen or school compound, not during lessons.”

As teachers smack in the middle of this issue, with first-hand knowledge of the problems caused by handphones despite school rules against it, it is difficult not to be sceptical. Besides being an effective examination cheating tool and major distraction during the teaching-learning process, handphone text messages have also replaced the classic love-letter to the girl in the last row.

“That’s an understatement,” said another friend who is the discipline master in his school.

“Remember the old school boy trick of yesteryear involving strategically placed pencil-sharpener mirrors. Just imagine what they can do with camera-phones these days.

“And do you know what the worst part is?

“Some of the ‘models’ in the lewd, almost pornographic, camera-phone shots are our students. Makes you wonder what the root of all this moral decadence is, doesn’t it?”

Of course banning the handphone in schools does not mean all these problems are going to be solved. Cheaters will still cheat and inappropriate behaviour in girl-boy relationships will still continue.

“Besides,” asked another parent, “Wouldn’t it be unfair to students who genuinely need to have the handphone with them? What about kids with medical problems who need to be in constant contact with their parents?”

School administrators have never been unaware of this situation and for that reason, there are always teachers on duty everyday to deal with emergencies such as sending students home, to the hospital, contacting parents and so on.

Some schools I know even allow students to bring their handphones to school but they have to turn the phones in to the school authorities throughout the school session.

“You know what really amazes me?” said my discipline teacher friend.

“Every time we conduct a spot-check and confiscate handphones, parents who have never attended any school function, never turned up on open day to check on their child’s progress throughout the school year, are at the school office within half an hour of notification, pleading with us to return the handphones to their children.”

Another point brought up by the “no handphones in school” proponents was the possible feelings of resentment, envy or even feelings of inferiority which may arise when students begin comparing handphone models in schools.

Like most of our material possessions that start out as “needs”, handphones have become a sort of status symbol for some.

Parents know this when their teenagers tearfully plead for the over RM1,000 model that “every other kid has”.

Imagine a kid who applies for the Textbook Loan Scheme because his father earns less than RM1,000 a month, sitting next to a student flashing the latest Nokia N90 which cost his dad RM2,500.

Most of us teachers especially, are glad that the issue is finally settled and the ban remains effective.

But we know some of the negative comments that are bound to be made by those less satisfied with the ruling.

“Teachers should not blame handphones for discipline problems.

“It is the teachers’ job to ensure students pay attention in class and do not play with handphones. Teachers should not shirk their responsibilities or pass the buck, and so on and so forth....”

I wish someone would teach us teachers how to keep a student awake in class when he has been working part-time until 2am to pay for the luxury items he “needs”, handphones of course being at the top of the list.

While we are at that, I also wish someone would teach us teachers how to prevent students from using vulgarities in school when they use them all the time at home.

Or tell them it is not okay to cheat although this allows them to get what they want.

Or that it is morally wrong to flash an expensive Samsung D500 in front of another kid whose parents cannot afford to give him lunch money.

By MALLIKA VASUGI