PETALING JAYA: With rising concern over the widespread use of mobile phones or gadgets among young students, stakeholders in Malaysia are relieved that the Education Ministry’s policy of banning or restricting their use in schools stays.
National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Fouzi Singon said the current rule on no gadgets and phones in classrooms – introduced in 2018 – is maintained as the risks outweigh the benefits.
“In Malaysia, we haven’t reached a level of appreciation for the proper use of these gadgets that we can allow students to bring them to schools.
“Even with the rule, we have still had cases of misuse, such as the filming of bullying incidents and others in schools,” he said when asked for comment.
Fouzi noted that at present, only selected schools are allowed to use tablets for certain subjects but in most schools, there are computer labs.
“In case of an emergency, students can use the school phone or seek assistance from teachers,” he said.
Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association president Siraj Jalil said allowing gadgets in schools would only encourage an unhealthy culture such as cyberbullying, disturbing other students and filming inappropriate videos that could lead to problems for both the students and schools.
“The norm of not allowing them in schools should be maintained because we don’t want unforeseen issues arising from it,” he said.
He commended the ministry for its policy against the use of phones in the classroom in most schools, save for the learning of some subjects where the use of tablets is permitted.
Siraj pointed out that during the Covid-19 pandemic, kids were allowed to use gadgets in schools but the situation has changed now.
Meanwhile, Parent Action Group for Education chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim lamented that it is becoming increasingly difficult for parents, especially those whose children lead passive lives, to curb the use of electronic gadgets among them.
“For parents whose children are already too deep into gadgets, try to wean them off by suggesting more quality time doing outdoor pursuits or fun family activities that need not cost much. Alternatively, seek therapeutic help before it is too late,” she said.
Noor Azimah noted that studies conducted worldwide had concluded that an overuse of gadgets can lead to mental health issues including autism and being on the spectrum.
“In Malaysia, parents are either unaware of such studies or gadgets have been such a convenience to daily life that they choose to ignore the consequences,” she said.
Meanwhile, most students and teachers said mobile phones have no place in the classroom.
For Form Six student Fatihatul Hikma Ibrahim, the banning of the device in schools reduces distractions during lessons.
The 18-year-old finds that the absence of smartphones encourages face-to-face communication and enhances social skills.
“Students should only use phones to contact their parents during emergencies while teachers can monitor phone use to ensure it is for educational purposes only.
“It will also limit chances of cheating during exams,” she said.
Nurul Zaharah Kamal, 13, said that in her school, there are strict rules against the use of smartphones despite students carrying them in their bags.
“In class, we have to switch off our phones and turn them back on only after school to call our parents.
“Students found using them in class would see their phones confiscated. Their parents could come collect the phones only after a week as punishment for their kids.
Kalai Manickam, 50, a parent from Kuala Lumpur, supports the move to ban smartphone use in schools.
“They already have computer labs to do their studies or work online anyway.
“My 15-year-old daughter uses her phone mostly to book a Grab or contact me to pick her up,” she said.
