Editor,

I write in reference to the story that appeared in The New Times yesterday titled "Minister confiscates students’ phone” where your reporter told us how the State Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Dr. Mathias Harebamungu, had confiscated mobile phones of Zaza Secondary school students.

I was impressed by the Minister’s initiative because I have been one of those people who have always wondered why secondary school students are allowed into school with mobile phones.

Students, as we all know, are expected to be humble and listen to their teachers so as to perform well and be successful people in future.

Today, students lounge around school, carry mobile phones and do not adhere to teachers’ advice. The Minister has now given a directive that any undisciplined student should be counseled and ,upon lack of improvement ,be expelled. The same applies to teachers who fail to adhere to the ethics of the teaching profession.

By banning the use of mobile phones by secondary school students at school, the Minister is encouraging discipline and this should be emulated by teachers and head teachers of all schools.

I do not see the relevance of a mobile phone to a secondary school student. Why cant the students first complete their studies before they indulge into things that will distract them?

I would like to advise secondary school administrators to put a strict ban on the use of mobile phones in school and strict measures be taken, should any student be caught with one on the school premises.

I am sure if the Minister’s action of banning the mobile phones is heeded, the performance of most of these students shall improve.

Bonny Muhimphuhwe
Kiziguro