The Ministry of Education and Sports says no student shall be allowed to possess a mobile phone in school.
According to Statement from the Minister of Education there were reports in media of which messages were being sent out to head teachers to allow students to be in possession of mobile phones under the headline “Students Free to use phones at School”.
In the statement signed the Minister of Education Jessica Alupo the director for basic education was quoted out of context while he was addressing Secondary School heads about allowing students to have access to technology.
The Ministry of Education and Sports maintains the position that ” No student shall be allowed to possess a mobile phone in school for whatever reason”, the statement reads.
The reasons as to why government is against it are as follow:
1) Government registered an overwhelming rate of exam malpractices. This was particularly noted when students were reported to use phones to receive questions and answers of leaked examinations prior to sitting UNEB Examinations. This malpractice will not be handled lightly.
2) Young female students cannot be protected effectively if there is completely no control of mobile phone usage in schools.
3) Mobile phones may be used to encourage the use of illegal drug abuse in schools and to promote criminal behavior in various circumstances.
However Head Teachers have been granted authority to liaise with Telecom Service Providers to procure phone booths that will enable students to be in touch with their parents in a controlled manner.
