KZN: Should badly behaved kids be banned from using cellphones?
More pressure is being placed on enforcing school rules...
Is banning devices the solution to teachers' problems?
During the lockdown, many students from around South Africa used their mobile devices as a tool for learning.
Post Covid-19, the smartphone remains an instrumental learning tool for students. Most subjects have WhatsApp groups and controlled access to additional teacher assistance.
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However, recent news reveals that these devices are causing havoc in the classroom.
Two incidents in KwaZulu-Natal have caused school principals to plead with parents to enforce school rules regarding cellphones and discipline.
The KZN education department says it's shocked after receiving info that a vehicle of a teacher from Northbury Park Secondary School in PMB was set alight, allegedly by a disgruntled pupil. Full story on @TimesLIVE pic.twitter.com/fPC6GUiUlz
— Naledi (@Naledi_Mailula) September 7, 2022
One incident occurred at Ndengetho High School where pupils in Durban allegedly set fire to several classrooms after police seized about 400 phones during a spot search.
The second incident involved a 17-year-old Pietermaritzburg boy who was arrested for torching a teacher’s car from Northbury Park Secondary School after his cellphone was confiscated.
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These incidents have caused principals to take action.
According to TimesLive, Northbury principal, Loraine Sha, informed parents at a meeting that their children would be sent home if a device was found on them or fined R300 if their phones passed through newly installed metal detectors.
“No learner will be allowed onto the school premises with a cellphone. Learners with cellphones will be turned away at the gate and asked to return home. We are here to teach and learn.”
Many teachers have spoken out on the matter and are worried that one of their own students could react in this way.
The KZN Department of Education is yet to comment on this growing issue.
Here are some thoughts from concerned parents around KZN
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Hi I don't think kids should have a phone at school because they will not concentrate on their studies it also opens the doors to stalkers etc if they should have it it should be given on weekends and holidays and be supervised by parents.
Hey Stacey and J Sbu I disagree with the carrying of phones to school cause the phone distracts other kids when it rings.
School kids should only b allowed to carry a phone that u can make a call or sms eg. Nokia 1200, no IPhone should be allowed
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