Use Of Cellphones Banned In Classrooms
The use of cellular phones by public elementary and secondary school children when attending classes has been prohibited by the Department of Education (DepEd) in Southern Tagalog-A (Calabarzon).
DepEd Calabarzon Regional Director Paraluman R. Giron said the ban is in compliance with a directive issued by Education Assistant Secretary for Programs and Projects Teresita G. Inciong.
Giron said Inciong had explained that cellphones are important in the daily activities of students. However, school rules have been set on how to use them especially inside the classrooms. But teachers are not allowed to confiscate students’ cellphones; instead the latter should be asked to switch off their phones during classes and switch them on after classes.
The cooperation of parents in the efforts to enforce the cellphone ban inside the classrooms has been sought, adding that the DepEd is fully aware of the importance of cellphones in time of emergency or in knowing the whereabouts of their children.
Giron said that Inciong also asked teachers and parents to devise appropriate ways and means to educate students on the responsible use of the hand-held electronic gadgets to prevent the youngsters from engaging in misguided and improper activities.
The Calabarzon education director has directed elementary and secondary school administrators and teachers in the region to closely monitor the use of cellphones by students when they are inside the classrooms.
With reports from Manila Bulletin Online.
Sun Star, a Manila Daily, has also reported that the use of cellphones have been prohited in all levels of Philippine schools by the Department of Education.
A native of Cavinti, Lucila C. Oblena spent all her working years as an educator, beginning as a classroom teacher in 1944, then a Guidance Counselor and retired as a school Principal. She is also the founder of CLOTA (Cavinti Laguna Overseas Teachers Association). She is the Editor of Tipakan.com (Cavinti Diaspora).
