Flooded with complaints of fiddling with their smartphones during classes, the West Bengal education department has barred teachers from using the communication gadget in classrooms from the new academic year.
In an instruction mentioned in the academic calendar, 2025, the education board made it clear that no teacher will be allowed to take their cellphones when he or she is going to take classes.
“If a teacher feels the necessity of using a cellphone for the purpose of teaching, he or she will have to take permission from the head of the institute. This restriction will also be in place when the teachers will attend practical classes at laboratories,” said an official of the state education board.
Elaborating on what prompted the education department to take this measure, the official said, “We have been receiving complaints from students and guardians as well that many teachers keep themselves busy fiddling their cellphones in classes. Many were also caught by the head of the institutes when a surprise visit to classes were conducted. So, we have taken the decision of barring the use of cellphones by teachers during classes.”
Sources in the education department said on several occasions, teachers were found active on their social media platforms at a time when they were supposed to teach students. “The issue went viral on social media platforms and drew a flak from the civil society of the state tarnishing the image of teachers of state-run or state-aided schools. In a bid to address the menace, we took the decision and implemented it from the new academic year,” said another officer of the education department.
In many schools, students up to Class XII are not allowed to bring cellphones with them. “There are examples that the head of the teachers issued instructions asking students to delete their profiles from social media platforms as it was found damaging their academic career,” said the officer.
In another instruction, the education department has also set the deadline of coming to school for the teachers. “A teacher will have to come to school within 10.35 am, five minutes before the regular prayer schedule. If a teacher fails to comply with the timing, his or her attendance will be considered late. If a teacher comes after 11.15 am, his or her attendance will not be counted,” the officer said.
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