Students who presented their views before the joint parliamentary committee firmly said that mobiles in schools should not be allowed as they disrupt studies in classes.
Students who presented their views before the joint parliamentary committee firmly said that mobiles in schools should not be allowed as they disrupt studies in classes.
Teachers and principals echoed and demanded a ban on mobiles in school premises.
A parliamentary sub-committee led by BJP MP Venkaiah Naidu was in the city to hear from the various representatives on the ‘imposition of reasonable restriction on the use of mobile phones’.
A petition, filed by Gurjit Singh, an advocate from Patiala, had demanded restrictions on usage of mobiles in schools and colleges, religious places, in moving vehicles and at public offices. The sub-committee, on this backdrop, held a hearing in Bangalore some days ago and in Mumbai on Wednesday.
James Jacob, a standard IX student said that he does not require a mobile phone during school hours. “I would like to have one when I reached college, but at school level it’s absolutely unnecessary,” he told the committee that comprise Rajya Sabha members and central government officials.
School teachers told the committee that parents have been unreasonably insisting about their children using mobile phones in the schools. “They don’t feel anything wrong in children carrying the phones even during exam times,” complained Hema Kannan, a school teacher from Sion.
Representatives from churches and gurudwaras feel that mobiles should not be used inside religious places, but they do not demand for a ban on their usage. “We have displayed boards inside the gurudwaras and are receiving a positive response,” said a gurudwara priest.
The Mumbai traffic police have demanded a ban on cameras in mobile phones. ACP Amarjeet Singh urged before the committee that only police should be allowed to use mobiles with camera. “There is a huge possibility of misuse of cameras with malafide intention. It’s useful for the police during investigations and registering statements, which is why it should be allowed to us,” he said. The traffic police has demanded a hike in fine from Rs100 to Rs200 for drivers caught talking on phone while at wheels.
Cellular operators pressed for self regulations on mobile use. “The base of mobile phone users in the country is widening by nearly 8 million users per month. The use should be restricted at schools and colleges, religious places as a ban is not possible for various reasons,” said TR Dua, senior director of Cellular Operators Association of India.
Naidu said that his committee will submit its report in the Parliament and the directives will be issued to the government.
g_surendra@dnaindia.net
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