Ban cellphones in schools? ‘Overwhelming majority’ backs it – Gatchalian

FILE PHOTO: Two pedestrians use their cellphones while crossing a street in Taguig City. A cellphone ban in schools earned the support of “an overwhelming majority of Filipinos” – at least according to the survey commissioned by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. INQUIRER / RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — A cellphone ban in schools earned the support of “an overwhelming majority of Filipinos” – at least according to the survey commissioned by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

In a statement, the senator said eight in 10 adult Filipinos, or 76 percent, back the proposal banning cell phones in schools, quoting a Pulse Asia poll conducted from June 17-24 which involved adult respondents nationwide.

“An overwhelming majority of Filipinos across all socioeconomic classes also support a cell phone ban in schools, with the strongest support from Class ABC (80 percent). Seventy-six percent of respondents from D support a cell phone ban in schools, while 71 percent from class E support the proposal,” Gatchalian said Tuesday.

READ: Gatchalian mulls cellphone ban in class: Youth are addicted to cellphones

The survey likewise showed that 80 percent of respondents from Metro Manila agree with a cellphone ban in schools, as well as 79 percent from Balance Luzon, 61 percent from Visayas, and 81 percent from Mindanao.

“Malinaw na suportado ng ating mga kababayan ang ating panukala na ipagbawal ang paggamit ng mga cellphones sa mga paaralan, lalo’t na’t ang paggamit nito sa oras ng klase ay maaaring makapinsala sa kanilang pag-aaral. Kaya naman patuloy nating isinusulong ang panukalang batas na magbabawal sa paggamit ng cellphone sa oras ng klase,” Gatchalian said.

(It is clear that our countrymen are in support of our bid to prohibit the use of cellphones in schools, especially its use during class hours which may adversely affect their studies. That’s why we will continue to push for a measure that will prohibit the use of cellphones during class hours.)

READ: Gatchalian files bill to ban mobile devices during class

Gatchalian, chair of the Senate committee on basic education, earlier filed a bill prohibiting the use of mobile devices among basic education students and teachers during class hours.

In his Senate Bill No. 2706, Gatchalian cited the negative effects of excessive mobile phone usage to learners’ academic performance. He added that access to such devices seems likely to “mediate involvement in cyberbullying.”

Specifically, he proposed the following:

• Prohibiting the use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets by learners from Kindergarten to Senior High School within the school premises during class hours, and by teachers and faculty members during their designated teaching hours in classrooms
• Mandating the Department of Education to formulate and promulgate guidelines on the prohibition of the use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets while ensuring that private education institutions provide the same guidelines

Senate Bill No. 2706, however, states that exceptions to the rule shall include tools or gadgets or devices needed for learning such as classroom presentations; health and well-being of learners with specific health conditions; and managing risk such as in case of emergency, in response to a perceived threat or danger.