Flexibility in allowing students to use phones at school

Manage student phone usage properly

According to the reporter, the rate of students owning and bringing phones to school in Ho Chi Minh City is very high. Especially at the secondary level, more than 80% of students regularly bring phones to school. However, the use of smartphones poses many challenges for schools in managing and guiding students to use phones appropriately.

Students in Ho Chi Minh City access virtual reality technology online. Photo: Yen Noi

Recognizing the negative impacts of excessive phone use in schools, many schools in Ho Chi Minh City have begun to apply restrictive measures. These measures vary from complete bans to controlled use.

Some schools have decided to completely ban the use of phones on campus, typically Truong Chinh High School in District 12.

According to Mr. Trinh Duy Trong, Principal of Truong Chinh High School, initial results show that after applying this regulation, there is no longer a scene of students gathering in groups of three or five, hunched over their phones during recess. Instead, the school yard has become more crowded, with many sports activities and exchanges between students.

Some other schools take a more flexible approach, allowing students to use their phones but within certain limits and times. For example, Ngo Thoi Nhiem Primary, Secondary and High School allows students to bring their phones to school but must hand them over to the security guard or homeroom teacher upon entering the school.

The approach of Ngo Thoi Nhiem Primary, Secondary and High School is considered suitable for the digital transformation trend in education, when many lessons require students to use phones to work in groups, record videos, or look up information.

In addition to administrative measures, many schools in Ho Chi Minh City also focus on educating students on how to use phones properly. Class meetings and extracurricular activities are organized to raise students’ awareness of the harmful effects of phone abuse as well as instruct them on how to use phones effectively for learning purposes.

There are still mixed opinions.

For students, the restrictions on cell phone use in schools initially caused a negative reaction. Many felt uncomfortable and felt their personal freedom was being violated. Some students worried about not being able to contact their families in case of an emergency.

However, after a while, many students began to realize the benefits of reducing phone use. Students in school had more time to interact directly with friends, participate in outdoor activities, and focus on studying. Some even shared that they felt less stressed and pressured when they were not constantly checking their phones.

In particular, in cases where controlled phone use is allowed, students feel this is a reasonable approach that ensures school discipline without completely cutting them off from technology.

On the parents’ side, the majority expressed support for measures to limit the use of phones in schools. Parents found that this helped their children focus more on their studies and minimized the negative effects of excessive phone use.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh (a parent of an 8th grader in District 1) shared: "Nowadays, it is difficult for parents to control their children's smartphone use, even at home. I agree with the school's ban on students using phones. I hope that when they go to school, they will focus on studying, and what's the point of bringing a phone?"

However, some parents also expressed concerns about not being able to contact their children in case of emergency. They suggested that schools need to have flexible measures to ensure student safety in all situations.

For teachers, limiting the use of phones in schools also has different opinions. Many teachers support this because they realize that reducing student distractions makes lessons more effective, students will pay more attention to knowledge acquisition and actively participate in group activities.

However, some teachers are concerned that banning phones altogether could alienate students from technology, which could affect their ability to use smart devices in their work and daily lives later on. They suggest that schools should have teaching methods that combine traditional and technological approaches to help students develop more comprehensively.

The ban on cell phones in schools in Ho Chi Minh City has attracted great attention from many sides and has created mixed reactions. Flexible and adaptable measures in management, as well as increased propaganda and education on appropriate cell phone use, are contributing to creating a safer and more effective learning environment for students. Understanding and consensus among stakeholders, including students, parents and teachers, will be the key to the success of these policies in the future.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/flexible-allowing-students-to-use-phones-at-school.html