SHOULD THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES BE ALLOWED IN THE S.H.S.?

I.C.T. (Information Communication Technology) has improved the standard of living of people in the world. This technology has both positive and negative effects on the society. Computers, microscopes, aero planes, digital cameras, atomic and nuclear bombs, robots, are all devices that are now present in the world due to I.C.T. likewise the mobile phones. The use of mobile phones should be allowed in the S.H.S., because it has a good impact on students.

          The mobile phone is a technological device that has improved the means of communication in the world. Mobile phones have many features; some are having video recorders, MP3/MP4 player, WAP browser, Bluetooth and so on and so forth. The Senior High School (S.H.S) is a secondary institution that equips individuals with knowledge about their physiological, psychological, emotional, reproductive and educational life. Most of these S.H.S in Ghana have the boarding house system. These institutions are headed by prominent and caring   people who try to make life as comfortable as possible for their students.

           There is a great argument that the use of mobile phones should not be allowed in the S.H.S. When the phone rings during classes hours, it interrupts lessons which is bad. The students also call the opposite sex especially at night, "anadwo ye de, this spends much of their time. They do not get enough rest because of the calls at night, therefore sleep during classes hours. The users of mobile phones also compete among themselves about whose phone is latest and has more functions. Furthermore, those with WAP browser phones might visit the internet to watch pornographic pictures and movies. For these and many other reasons, one may say the use of mobile phones should not be allowed in the S.H.S.

           One must bear in mind that there are some vital reasons which will support the use of mobile phones in the S.H.S. Apart from these bad effects, mobile phones provide students with the chance of making more researches. Thus, phones with WAP browser give students opportunity to visit many websites for useful information. This can also promote E-learning and access information from other institutions. This saves time and money and improves the process of teaching and learning.

        Furthermore, mobile phone as an I.C.T device broadens the individual's (student's) knowledge. They may learn some other funtions and uses of  I.C.T devices such as the mobile phones.This gives them more understanding of  I.C.T. Learning the other funtions of  I.C.T. devices increase their curiosity and make further researches to satisfy their curiosity. Again, they learn many other things which might not be taught in the classroom, through this, student’s knowledge is widened as well as their ability to think and reason.  Also the burden of teachers is reduced.

           Moreover, the presence of mobile phones in S.H.S helps students to learn in advance, in the sense that they can call friends from other schools for information. They can also use their phones to call relatives and basic school teachers for immediate data needed. This helps to give students more understanding. The use of the internet on phones provides students with more facts and detailed issues in all aspects of life.

           Now the world is a global village, very soon every transaction will be computerized. Mobile phones as an I.T device will improve students’ knowledge about I.C.T. This will make them suit this technological world. Since students learn I.C.T. as a core subject, they leave school as I.T. litetrates. Students’ knowledge in I.C.T suits them for the present conditions of the world.

          In a nutshell, students use mobile phones for researches. Mobile phone as an I.T.device broadens student’s knowlegde. It also enables students to learn in advance by calling others for information. A technological device like mobile phones, give students ideas and knowledge to suit the present world. Camera phones and video recorders can also be used to capture incidents for recreation and educational purposes. The use of mobile phones should be allowed in the S.H.S. because it has good impact on students. The future of the universe depends on technological people. Children are the future leaders, therefore should be technologically equipped to develop the world.

By:  Pokuaa Manu