Gatchalian Advocates for Prohibition of Cellphones Within School Premises
GATCHALIAN – Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to issue a directive prohibiting the use of cell phones within school premises.
On April 27, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged DepEd to issue a directive prohibiting the use of cell phones within school premises. Gatchalian, who leads the Senate basic education committee, suggested this measure as a substitute for his intention to introduce a bill that would outlaw mobile phone usage among students.
He aims to promote a culture where students prioritize reading books over spending time on social media platforms. “We have no control over them outside the schools. But inside, the DepEd has jurisdiction to release a policy banning phones during class hours and inside classrooms. We can also come up with a bill which will have the force of law,” the senator said during an interview over dwIZ radio.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian devised the suggestion out of his apprehension regarding the low reading comprehension of Filipino students relative to their peers, which he attributes to their excessive use of social media.
“Based on my observation, many students use their phones during recess, during lunch break, instead of talking among each other or studying or reading. Cellphones can be addictive. Adults can get addicted to YouTube or TikTok. How much more the children?” he said.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian further stated that the proposed bill could also tackle excessive internet usage among youth, which negatively impacts their mental well-being and educational progress.
“I have read new research over the weekend that excessive use of gadgets and cell phones have a negative effect on the youth,” Gatchalian said.
The senator indicated that the Senate has the option to reintroduce a comparable House proposal from the preceding Congress, which called for a ban on cellphones in schools.
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