Bangladesh bans students, teachers from taking mobile phones to classrooms

Students and teachers in schools and colleges have been asked not to enter in classrooms with mobile phones, according to a new government order.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education issued the order on Oct 12 and sent it to the schools and colleges.

"Of late, it has come to our notice that some students and teachers are carrying mobile phones in classrooms and using them," the notice said.

"It hampers lessons in class. The students can't concentrate on their studies. It's unwarranted and unacceptable," the notice added.

It said the authorities decided to impose the restrictions to make the classrooms lesson-friendly.

Teachers have been asked to leave their mobile phones at the teachers' lounge, but the notice does not say what the student will do if they carry mobile phones to schools or colleges.

The notice did not elaborate on how the decision would be implemented.

Director General of the Secondary and Higher Education Prof SM Wahiduzzaman told bdnews24.com that "a separate directive can be issued".

He, however, said "not all of them were coming with mobile phones with bad intentions; some of them carry it for the emergency."  

Earlier, mobile phones were used to send question papers outside the exam halls to cheat in competitive examinations.