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Ministry of Education in Antigua bans cell phones in schools  - sets out firm rules for new school year.

August 29, 2007: The Ministry of Education in Antigua has taken a socially courageous and visionary stand amidst public criticisms in announcing a ban on the use of cellular phones on the school compounds across Antigua and Barbuda. The ban is complimented with a set of rules designed to instill greater discipline in schools  and reassert social values.

The story  as presented in the Antigua Sun is outlined below:

Tuesday August 28 2007 - Antigua Sun by Afeefah Bharry

Cell phone ban takes effect opening of school term

Amidst public criticisms, the Ministry of Education will be banning the use of cellular phones on the school compounds across Antigua and Barbuda.

Chief Education Officer Jacintha Pringle said that cellular phones will be confiscated if they are seen or heard on the school compound and will not be given back to students.
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“What we are going to say is that beginning September 3, cell phones should not be seen or heard on the school compound,” Pringle said.

Pringle made this statement at a press conference yesterday which was held to address issues relating to Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Common Entrance results.

The new school rules which were drafted by the Ministry of Education sparked debate some months ago from members of the public as to the benefits of the ministry’s stance.

Pringle further stated that all of the other school rules will be implemented for the new school term and if cell phones are found on the compound, a fine of $50 will have to be paid and the phones would only be returned to parents.

“Even if we have to call the police to take parents off the compound when they come in a rowdy manner, we will do it,” Pringle said.

The chief education officer said there are a lot of people making “shoddy” excuses about the use of cell phones on the school premises but the ministry will not be accepting any because they see it as a distraction.

“Nowadays, there are a lot of voices out there and people don’t like to obey the rules, as we disobey rules our children are getting away with the wrong things,” Pringle stated. “We must get back to the society of order.”

According to Pringle, Guyana has already banned cell phones and the Catholic schools in Trinidad & Tobago have also done so.

Minister of Education Bertrand Joseph recently told the Antigua Sun that his ministry was going ahead with the implementation of the school rules and “other things” for the new school term. According to Joseph, the rules were designed to instil greater discipline within the schools. Among the new regulations are the banning of habitual tardiness of teachers; the speaking of dialect by teachers and students and the wearing of braids and weaves by female students. Male students are now also prohibited from having their hair braided.

The 10-point regulation guide also addressed the issue of teachers being paid for lessons conducted on the school’s compound, and the selling of items to students by teachers on the school compound.

The ministry further addressed school events, fundraisers, school uniforms and school hours. Joseph said that after having the consultation, the rules were reviewed and they will be introduced come September.
 

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