We Should Counter ‘Mobile Phones’ in School

PRIZE LETTER
CELLULAR or ‘mobile’ telephones, as commonly called, are important communication gadgets today. But, people have come to believe their lives are dependant on them. Without a mobile phone, many feel handicapped and unable to do anything. In less than 15 years of their arrival, mobile
phones have become ‘indispensable’ to many a Ugandan life.

Besides the business community, they have affected the lives of young people, especially students. Young people use them to show off. They use them to control their peers or even the adults who care for them. The phones have also become a channel of entertainment – for music and games; and above all, they offer uncontrolled communication, breaking all barriers and hustles.

Unfortunately, they cause financial loss, as they are expensive to maintain. They lead students into constant begging from parents, but worse of all, from sexual exploiters. Phones are a distraction to students, who lose concentration, as they are embroiled in picking calls and exchanging messages – at times including soft porn.

Phones with image and music transmission facilities introduce students to pornography. It is an easy way to be hooked to immoral activities like pre-marital sexual relationships, unhealthy relationships with adults and addictive habits, with your phone as a conduit for the vices.

Constant and unhealthy use of mobile phones can also create health hazards through radioactive materials. But, that is not all. Phones have become a source of insecurity to the owners and other students, as we can imagine their contribution to school fires, riots and strikes.

Many schools have banned mobile phones of students. But, what with the contemporary trend, students tend to be arrogant and look down on teachers and fellow students. They sneak the phones into school and are some of the biggest undisciplined fellows.

My suggestion is to the parents to support educators in counteracting smuggling of mobile phones into school. Parents, teachers, school administrations, social and religious leaders can positively sensitize young people on the abuse of these gadgets and the dangers they pose in communities.

Besides this, however, parents should beef up school efforts to effectively supervise their sons and daughters. Schools must instill strict rules against mobile phone usage. The Education Ministry should also come up with clear policies on this matter, so that it is backed by all responsible sections of society.

REV FR ARASU LAZAR, SDB,
Headmaster,
St. Mary’s SSS, Namaliga.