Lift ban on smartphones in class, says Sarawak Teachers’ Union

 

Telco companies have been urged to offer affordable packages with additional data to help poor children catch up with their studies. (Bernama pic)

KUCHING: It is time to lift the ban on smartphones in class given the need for students to study online and stay competitive, the Sarawak Teachers’ Union said.

Its president, Adam Prakash Abdullah, noted that when schools closed for almost a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, teachers and students had to resort to online teaching and learning.

“It is time for us to encourage the teachers and students to use information and communication technology, including smartphones, in their teaching and learning process responsibly. Thus, the ban on smartphones in class should no longer be necessary,” he said.

With the RM300 subsidy for B40 households with schoolgoing children to purchase smartphones or tablets under the Pemerkasa initiative, Adam said it was expected that more children would have these communication tools.

However, Jonathan Chai, chairman of the Federation of Boards of Management for SJK Chung Hua of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions, disagreed that the ban on smartphones in schools should be lifted.

“Some students, especially those in primary schools, might not have the requisite self-discipline in using the smartphone. So, if they are in school, I don’t think they need a smartphone as they can resume face-to-face learning,” he said.

He said the smartphone was only needed for online learning when they were required to stay at home.

Chai said the focus should be on providing affordable internet packages with additional data to allow school children in B40 households to gain access to online learning.

“Otherwise, the lack of internet access in the remote rural and coastal areas will tend to drive the standard of education between the urban and rural students further apart, especially during the pandemic,” he said.

Adam, in agreeing with this, said: “The government is giving the subsidy for a smartphone, so I hope the telecommunication companies can offer school teachers and students affordable internet packages.” - FMT