Students, teachers claim ban unfeasible
The prospect of having jammers and signal decoders installed in college campuses to ban use of cellphones in classrooms and college premises has seen mixed responses.
When asked about their reaction to the University of Mumbai circular asking for an opinion on the installation of cellphone jammers on the college campus, Dr T. Shiware, chairman of the Association of Non-Government College principals said, “It is a positive move as students today tend to be very distracted and preoccupied with the use of these devices in college, during class and even during exams…use of jammers could be a solution.”
However, Madhu Paranjape, who teaches at Kirti College and is an office bearer of the Bombay University and College Teachers Union (BUCTU) was critical of the suggestion.
“Students need to be in touch with their parents for various reasons and hence, jamming signals is not a good plan. Stricter rules to deter students from using the devices in class, library and corridors is, however, welcome,” said Ms Paranjape.
Subhash Athavale of the Mumbai University and College Teachers Association (MUCTA) rubbished the proposal and said that it was a regressive initiative and also against the MU’s scheme of using cellphones to keep students updated on developments in the college.
Students’ organisations — Nationalist Students Union of India (NSUI) and Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) — trashed the idea and said it was preposterous to even imagine banning cellphones.
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