Schoolchildren may have to face suspension or expulsion if they are found with mobile phones during school hours.
This regulation was introduced last week with a special circular issued by the Education Ministry banning the use of mobile phones in schools for both students and teachers in government and assisted private schools.
According to the directive dated July 26, bringing mobile phones to schools will be strictly prohibited for students while mobile phone usage is prohibited for teachers during classroom activities.
The ministry said the ban followed reports that mobile phones with SMS, MMS and GPRS facilities were being misused in schools.
Acting Secretary S.U. Wijeratne said the ministry had got complaints of mobile phones being misused to take photographs of others, store adult content and watch porn pictures and send abusive messages.
He said the students were misusing the phones without the knowledge of teachers or parents as they knew ways of deleting dirty stuff. Thus teachers and parents were told be more alert in schools and homes.
Mr. Wijeratne said schools should adopt disciplinary action including suspension for about a week and they could also have counselling sessions for students. He said teachers had been advised that they should not use mobile phones during school hours. |
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