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Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Ched, DepEd back proposed ban on cell phones
Education officials are for the banning of cell phone use during class hours, saying this will give more teeth to what is stated in students’ handbooks.
Representatives from the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) and Department of Education (DepEd) yesterday assured the Provincial Board (PB) of their support once the ordinance is approved.
The proposed ordinance is sponsored by PB Member Juan Bolo. It seeks to penalize students who use their cell phones during class hours.
Nenita Lapingcao of Ched and DepEd 7 Director Carolino Mordeno and Provincial Director Recaredo Borgonia said that while students’ handbooks explicitly bans the use of cell phone during class hours, enforcing the prohibition will be strengthened once the ordinance is approved.
Mariflor Liwanag of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Pedrito Pontellas of the Cebu State College of Science and Technology in Argao town also told the PB that they support the draft ordinance, given the “ill-effects” of cell phones if used during class hours.
Exclude us
Mordeno, however, told the PB during its session yesterday that the students should be allowed to use their cell phones during breaks.
Borgonia, for his part, said the ordinance should exempt head of schools as DepEd officials coordinate with their more than 1,400 school heads in the province through text messaging.
Still, school officials must be reminded to turn their cell phones in silent mode while in class.
The proposed ordinance states that school officials must impose a stern warning on first time offenders. Second time offenders will be reprimanded.
Third time offenders will be suspended for two days.
In this aspect, Mordeno suggested that instead of suspension, just let the offender pay a fine that will be set by the PB.
Lapingcao, however, said the ordinance should also set different penalties for different levels.
The school officials were invited to yesterday’s session to give their inputs so the proposed ordinance can be finalized.
But Lapingcao said the PB should also invite parents and leaders of different student organizations so they can also give their inputs.
The draft ordinance is still with Bolo. It was discussed during the PB session last week but its passage was deferred. (MBG)
(March 15, 2005 issue)
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