OFFICIALS of Tuba, Benguet are pushing the regulation of the use of mobile phones and similar gadgets inside schools.
Members of the Municipal Council of Tuba passed the "Cellphone and similar gadget ordinance" authored by Councilor Jerome Palao-ag, citing the unregulated use of mobile phones and similar gadgets inside classrooms will cause disruptions during classes.
The ordinance covers all students in all schools. Mobile phones and similar gadgets must be turned off during class hours.
Students who are found guilty will be tasked to perform community work within the school such as office work, gardening, grass cutting, classroom cleaning, classroom painting.
The student’s mobile phone or gadget will also be confiscated.
“If the student is a frequent offender and upon counseling, he/she still continuously violates this ordinance, the school officials may recommend for non-admission of the student with his/her current school for the next school year,” the ordinance stated.
Under the proposed ordinance, exemption include circumstances such as emergencies, unscheduled suspension of classes and other incidence that need the immediate attention of parents.
The district supervisor of the Department of Education or the principal of public and supervisor of private schools are tasked in the implementation of the ordinance.
If the assistance of the Philippine National Police is needed, the Tuba Municipal Police Station should extend necessary support.
Upon the approval of the ordinance by the Benguet Provincial Board, a three months information education campaign must be conducted for the municipality and schools to disseminate the provisions of the ordinance.
In July 2018, the Department of Education in Cordillera reiterated the memorandum that prohibits the use of mobile devices such as but not limited to cellular phones, smart phones, tablet, iPods, wearable technologies such as but not limited to smart watches, virtual reality headsets, smarts glasses and wearable cameras.
On Monday, July 15, the proposed ordinance was referred to the appropriate committee during the third regular meeting of the 10th Provincial Board of Benguet.