Telangana’s School Education Department has announced a complete ban on mobile phone use by teachers during school hours in government schools, starting in the next academic year. This move has triggered concern and criticism among educators.
The decision follows growing complaints from parents who say some teachers are spending too much time on their phones instead of focusing on students. According to the department, this behavior is damaging the reputation of government schools and affecting the quality of education.
To curb this issue, the department has directed District Education Officers (DEOs) to carry out unannounced inspections in schools. If any teacher is caught using a mobile phone during class, strict action will be taken.
During a recent meeting at MCRHRD, Dr. Yogita Rana, the State Secretary for Education, emphasized the need for strict enforcement of the ban. She addressed DEOs and Principals of District Institutes of Education and Training (DIET), asking them to ensure compliance from the first day of the new school year.
However, many teachers feel the rule is unfair. They argue that a few individuals misusing phones should not lead to restrictions for everyone. Some say they need their phones in case of family emergencies, especially medical ones.
Others point out that mobile phones serve important purposes in schools. For instance, teachers use them for student attendance through face recognition and to receive urgent updates from the education department.
Despite these concerns, the department is firm on its stance. The goal is to improve classroom focus, raise teaching standards, and rebuild trust in Telangana’s public education system.
