Cell phone usage ban in classrooms: Edu Min opens up!

Bhubaneswar: Higher Education minister Ananta Das today said discussion over banning cell phones in educational institutions is on and a decision would be made at the earliest.

“So far, no decision has been made to ban mobile phones. Different associations of teaching staff had come up with the proposal. We are discussing how far this can be possible in Odisha,” said Das.

The use of mobile phones in school corridors, especially in classrooms, creates disturbance and causes distraction of the learning atmosphere. Teachers should also avoid using mobile phones in classrooms in the presence of students and also during evaluation of answer papers, said Das. Keeping phones switched off in class could not be a permanent alternative solution, he added.

On being asked about the impact of the ban at a time when schools and colleges are going digital to impart education, Das said the move to ban mobiles is only meant to ensure discipline and a healthy study environment inside the classrooms.

Technology definitely improves productivity; so, when needed, cell phones can be used in classrooms as a teaching tool

- Ananta Das

Meanwhile, many teacher associations and educationalists advocate that using phones adversely affects academic performance of students.