CELLULAR PHONES AND PAGERS IN SCHOOLS

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua asked the Minister for Education if he will state his Ministry's view on the extent to which cellular phones, pagers and other communicating devices can be used by students within and outside of the classroom, but within the school premises.

RAdm Teo Chee Hean: The Ministry of Education does not prohibit use of cellular phones, pagers and other communication devices in schools. Schools have their own rules on whether pagers and mobile phones are allowed to be brought to the schools1 and their usage within the school premises. Schools that allow these devices to be brought to school do not allow usage during lessons, whether it is within or outside the classroom, to ensure learning is not disrupted. Usage is limited to during recess time, and before and after school hours.

1 A random survey indicates that 11% of the primary schools, 17% secondary and 75% of junior colleges and centralised institutes allow these devices to be brought to school. 89%, 83% and 25% of the primary, secondary and junior colleges and centralised institutes respectively, do not allow it.