While the National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB) called for a ban on children using cellphones at South Africa’s schools almost four years ago, local schools have taken a more creative approach.
Matakanye Matakanye, NASGB secretary, said cellphones were a distraction that resulted in the disintegration of the teaching environment.
“The things children find on social networks are shocking. They pollute children’s thoughts and prevent them from learning anything,” he said.
“It did not help to simply tell children that they could bring their phones to school but they were not allowed to switch them on, so governing bodies should “prioritise a revision of cellphone policy”, Mr Matakanye said.
The Courier spoke to three local high schools, Dannhauser Secondary (which encompasses Grades One to matrics), Dundee High and Sarel Cilliers.
All three schools have adopted a flexible approach to cellphone use to benefit learners, teachers and parents.
Sarel Cilliers High School, Glencoe
Principal, Kevin van Staden, said the school preferred for learners to have cellphones as these ‘are tools to make communication easier and assists with the child’s safety’.
“Children often have to phone for lifts after school or after sport and having a cellphone just makes things easier and safer. It is also a vital tool should the child fall sick and he/she needs to call their parents.”
However, Mr van Staden said while learners are allowed to keep their cellphones on their person during school hours, school rules prevented children from using their phones during school time and during class changes – when pupils walk on the passages from classroom to classroom.
“Should a learner be caught using a cellphone during class they are penalised. They are only allowed to use their devices during the two breaks and after school while waiting for a lift etc.”
Mr van Staden said the policy has been welcomed by both parents and learners and the school has few transgressions. Sarel Cilliers also has a ‘cyber bullying’ policy in place to protect learners and staff against ‘attacks on social media’.” Like all schools we have had to take measures to protect our children and staff against those who use social media for unscrupulous purposes.”
Dannhauser Secondary School
Cellphones are strictly prohibited at the school. Any cellphone found on a learner will be confiscated and the learner will have to pay a R200 fine to get it back. The SIM and memory cards are taken out when the phone is confiscated and handed back to the learner once the fine is paid.
Dundee High School
The school has stringent measures when it comes to cellphones and cell phone usage during school hours. Cell phones, earphones and other electronic equipment must not be visible or on during the school day.
If this rule is broken, the items mentioned will be confiscated (confiscating a cell phone includes the SIM card) for a period of two weeks and can thereafter be collected from the secretaries having paid a fine of R50. The learner will be responsible for any cell phone, earphone or other electronic equipment brought to school.
The school does not take any responsibility for the disappearance of any of the above-mentioned items.
