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Cell phone ban in Edu institutions
Lahore, Feb 07, 2008: Wednesday was the first day of the ban on the use of cell phones in
government schools. The mood was balanced, with teachers happy about the ban and
students outright opposing it. Parents were on the side of the
students.
The Education Department had announced on Monday (February 4)
that the use of cell phones would be banned at all government educational
institutions. Department spokesman Chaudhry Ahmad Ali said that
the previous government had imposed the ban, but institutions had not complied
with the order. He had also praised the decision by several institutions to
enforce the ban on campuses. He had said the government had asked all
institutions to make sure the ban was enforced on all students and staff
members.
We talked to several teachers, students, parents and
heads of educational institutions for their input on the ban.
Parents
against ban
* say cell phones give them security
Mrs Riaz Akhtar,
mother of Armaghan Hussain – a first year student of Government College
University, said the government was adding to the people's miseries. She said
she was a single parent of two boys and she kept in touch with her children via
cell phones. "I'm always worried what my kids are doing. I keep a check on them
via my cell phone. I can talk to them whenever I want. But now I won't know what
he is up to even if he is in college."
Jamal Chaudhry, father of Asma
Chaudhry – a student of Government Degree College for Women, said Pakistan was
going through a fragile time and parents needed to know where their children
were. "The day I heard about the bomb hoax at APWA College I panicked. I had
given Asma my cell phone so that I could stay in touch with her whenever
necessary. But now things have become complicated. The government needs to
review its decision."
Human rights activists divided over
issue
* IA Rehman says ban violates basic human rights
* Nighat Saeed
Khan says ban will improve childrens' manners
IA Rehman, director of the
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, said the government had 'gone crazy' and
that was why it was imposing senseless bans. He said the ban on the use of cell
phones violated basic human rights, as it restricted the freedom of movement and
the freedom of information. "Cell phones are a relief for parents and students,
as they remain in contact with each other. The safety of children is of prime
importance and in times when law and order is deteriorating in the country day
by day, communication has become even more important to parents. Using a cell
phone while driving is hazardous, but authorities are not paying attention to
that. There should be a good reason for the ban." However, Nighat Saeed Khan,
who is also a human rights activist, said she supported the ban, as 'people had
forgotten their manners'. "Students should not be allowed to use cell phones in
schools or colleges, as it is bad manners and has a negative impact on them. As
for security goes, once children are inside schools, their safety and security
becomes the prime responsibility of the school and its administration. They
should be informing the parents about their children and not the children
themselves."
Salima Hashmi wants different approach
* says ban
doesn't serve purpose
Salima Hashmi, an academician at Beaconhouse
National University (BNU), said there was no doubt that the use of cell phones
by students had become a nuisance inside class. However, she said that in
Pakistan's current scenario cell phones were a relief for parents. She said that
the imposition of the ban was not the right way to control youngsters. "Rather,
the government should have a more 'enlightened and moderate' approach towards
the issue. I think that by educating the youth about the right use of
technologies, one can to some extent control the negative impacts." She said
there should be simple rules on the use of cell phones in class. Teachers should
take responsibility to educate the youth on how to manage their phones, she
added. Told that many had cited boyfriends and girlfriends as a reason for the
ban, she said, "This is not the right way. Girls and boys can still bunk. They
can use their laptops or landlines to arrange dates." The ban has not been
imposed in private schools yet.
Edu minister supports ban
*
says phones being misused
Caretaker Education Minister Mira Phailbus said
the notification of the ban was issued a few years ago and had been taken up by
the Education Department once again. She said cell phones had been misused more
than used for constructive purposes.
She said the phones were a source of
distraction for students in class, they had become useful tools for cheating
during exams, cell phone theft had become rampant in schools, a show off culture
had started, as students bought expensive phones and then showed them off and
pictures were being taken from cell phones without the consent of people. "These
pictures and video clips are put up on the Internet, which is
humiliating."
About the ban's practicality, she said it really depended
on the school administrations on how they managed to implement the ban. Told
that most parents were against the ban, she said it was not a big issue as it
was only a matter of few hours before parents and their student children met
again. Also, many students go to college themselves, so there should not be a
big problem, she added.
Teachers hail ban
* say students need
to concentrate on academics
Professor Shaista Sirajuddin, head of the
English Department at Punjab University, said she favoured the ban. She said
young people did deserve freedom, but in a repressive society such as Pakistan's
youngsters tended to misuse technology. She said that being the head of her
department she had not allowed her students to use cell phones inside classrooms
or on the department's premises, as the contraptions proved very distracting.
"Students don't pay full attention to their studies, as they are busy using
their cell phones all the time," she added.
Told about the concern of
parents, she said, "Our generation went to school as well and that too without
cell phones. Our parents were very concerned about us. Parents need to
understand that their children have to study, not text."
She said the ban
would receive flak from many quarters. "I feel the ban won't work," she
said.
Mrs Masood, associate professor of the Nutrition Department at
Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), said that being a teacher she was
happy with the ban. She also said students tended to misuse cell
phones.
"We have caught many cell phones. By the end of the day, bags are
full of confiscated cell phones. Girls use the contraption to call their
boyfriends to the university to pick them up. This way the girls don't attend
classes, miss out on their studies without the knowledge of their parents," she
added.
She said boys misused cell phones more than girls. "They use their
phone cameras to take pictures of girls without them knowing. The availability
of such technology to students who are at a vulnerable age spoils them.
Therefore, all university teachers have praised the government's
decision."
Rustam Fateh Ali Khan, head of the Musicology Department of
Punjab University, said the ban was great and that all schools should implement
it. He said the ban would rid students of many vices. He said many students used
their cell phones to cheat during exams. The ban would stop that, he added. He
said students were constantly texting each other during classes. "I have caught
many students busy in sending and receiving messages during class. It's a
distraction for everyone."
He said TV commercials of cell phone companies
were promoting a texting and endless talking culture amongst students. "Such ads
should not be aired, as they distract students and give them a non-serious
attitude towards life."
Students denounce ban
* say govt
should revise decision
Faiza Zaki, a final year Master's in English
Literature student of Kinnaird College, said that since the ban's implementation
her house was in a mess. "My classes don't have a scheduled. Their timings are
haphazard. I used to call up my father to pick me up from college. Without my
phone I don't know how I will tie up with my father. I guess I will have to wait
at least two hours every day for my father to pick me."
Maida Masood, a
fourth year MBBS student of Fatima Jinnah Medical College, said her scheduled
was odd and that she needed her cell phone to keep in touch with her mother. "My
mother gets worried if I don't call her. Things happen and I get late at school
or at hospital. Why should all students suffer for the deeds of a few bad
apples? There can sometimes be an emergency and one needs to contact her family
right away. I don't know how I'll manage."
Adnan Khan, a second year
student of Government College University, said the ban was ridiculous. He said
in case of an emergency, a cell phone was the best device to have. "Pakistan's
situation is dodgy and there are explosions all over. My parents were worried
after the bomb hoax at APWA College. They called me to ask if everything was ok
at GCU. This ban will create more panic."
Ramiz Mustafa, a third year
MBBS student of King Edward Medical College, said he was the only male member of
his family and that he needed to keep in touch with his mother and sisters, who
were at home. "They depend on me and call me if they need anything from outside.
My cell phone had made is easy for me to keep in touch with them, but now I'm
always worried because they won't be able to contact me immediately. The
government needs to review its decision." Daily Times
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