Kerala government banned the use of mobile devices in the school premises following the rising instances of misuse of mobile phones in classrooms.
State Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told the assembly, “What we had till now is merely a government order stating that mobile phones can’t be used in schools. But now we will introduce new laws to this effect, banning the use of mobiles in all schools,”
The ban would also be implimented in the higher secondary schools as well. This move of the government came after a girl student attempted suicide after she was allegedly strip-searched in class to check if she was carrying a mobile phone.
The incident was an outcome of a paranoia that has set in among the authorities due to the rampant misuse of mobile phones.
Such incidences in the last couple of months led to a growing demand for banning mobile phones in schools.
“Kids misuse cell phones to the extent of their daily routines being affected,” said George Oommen, principal of the St Thomas Residential School.
