Mobile Phone Ban in Assam's Sivasagar Schools Boosts Academic Performance
In a significant educational reform, government-run schools across Assam's Sivasagar district have enforced a strict ban on mobile phones in classrooms for the past three years. This policy, with exceptions for digital teaching and specific special cases, has propelled the district to the top position in state school assessments, according to officials.
Origins of the Ban
The directive was first issued in January 2023 by then-inspector of schools, Kamal Jyoti Gogoi. Gogoi observed frequent disruptions in classrooms, where teachers were often engaged in phone conversations instead of teaching, and senior students brought smartphones post-Covid, exacerbating distractions. "There was no alternative but to impose a ban on smartphones and mobile phones," Gogoi stated, highlighting that the order was necessary to maintain an effective teaching-learning environment.
Implementation Challenges and Solutions
Enforcing the ban posed challenges, as teachers use smartphones for marking attendance and personal freedom concerns arose. To address this, many schools established storage spaces in teachers' common rooms, where phones are securely kept during regular classes. Uday Dutta, headmaster of Demow Girls' High School, noted, "Phones keep ringing, but teachers attend phone calls only after classes." He added that teacher behavior has improved significantly, with reduced social media usage during school hours.
Impact on Academic Excellence
The ban has been credited with Sivasagar's repeated success in the state's school assessment exercise, Gunotsav. Gogoi emphasized, "One of the primary reasons for the same is the proper use of mobile phones or smartphones." The district, which includes 1,239 government-run schools from primary to higher secondary levels, strictly adheres to the order, while private schools have the option to adopt similar measures.
Controlled Use for Educational Purposes
Despite the ban, mobile phones are permitted in specific scenarios. Digital classrooms utilize smartphones for internet-based learning, and school heads can authorize phone use in normal classes for special educational needs. Dutta explained, "In such cases, only school heads are authorised to give permission to a teacher to use a mobile phone or smartphone."
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
Deva Jyoti Gogoi, the current inspector of schools in Sivasagar, described the prohibition as a bold decision that is now being considered by other states. Education department officials continue to implement the directive while raising awareness about the dual effects of mobile phones in academic settings. The policy aims to balance technological benefits with minimizing distractions, fostering a more focused learning atmosphere across the district.
