Switch off mobile phones in schools or pay fine

If your child is caught using a mobile phone within school premises, she may have to pay a fine of Rs 50.

The state government has banned the use of mobile phones across all schools up to Class 10. Teachers and school staff have also been barred from using mobile phones inside classrooms during school hours. They will have to pay Rs 100 per violation.

The School Education Department issued the order on Wednesday; the date of implementation will be decided by deputy education directors of each region.

The ban will be enforced by principals, who too could be fined if caught by Education Department officials.

School Education Minister Patangrao Kadam, who termed the use of mobile phones by students a “nuisance”, said the move followed several complaints by parents and teachers.

Many schools already forbid the use of mobile phones in class, but many students manage to sneak the phones inside classrooms, keeping them on silent mode while sending text messages or playing games. This is the first time the state has introduced a blanket restriction on mobile phones.

“It’s a good move. Most times it’s peer pressure that leads to children demanding phones from parents,” said Mahalaxmi Ganesh, whose daughter studies in New Horizon Public School, Mulund.