No handphones in schools: Suggestions under review, says Kamalanathan

The Education ministry is reviewing the suggestion to reconsider its decision of prohibiting students from bringing handphones to school.

Deputy Education Minister, P. Kamalanathan said the ministry is re-evaluating the matter and looking at its pros and cons.

However, he said a holistic approach is needed before a decision is made.

“We are still studying the suggestion. I have heard about it. We cannot take a look at it just as a short term measure.

“We will take all suggestion into consideration and may come up with a decision in the near future,” he told Astro AWANI.

However, Kamalanathan stressed that the current rules which prohibited handphones to be brought to schools by students, will stay for the time being.

“The current rules will remain for now. We still don’t allow handphones in schools.

“We will take all suggestions into consideration. Of course the decision will make some people unhappy, but we have to look at the larger picture,” he said.

On Jan 5, the chairman of the State Committee on Education, Transportation and Works, Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zain has suggested that handphones be allowed in schools as it has become a necessity in today’s times.

He also said students should however only be allowed to carry handphones with basic functions to school.

This sentiment was echoed by astroawani.com readers who said handphones without internet access should be allowed in schools.

However, parents and teachers had said that allowing students to bring handphones to schools could distrupt their studies.