As reported by the Barbados Nation Newspaper, the Minister of Education and Human Resources Ronald Jones announced that he would be moving towards banning the use of cell phones by students at all schools in the island at the start of the new academic year. Though perhaps a good move to stop the use of mobiles within schools, along with all ‘wrong doing’ that was made possible with this privilege, what about when these young citizens and prospective employees are outside of school and equipped with mobiles? Is this ban really adequate?
Contrary to the above sentiments, I do support this measure. However, in the absence of complimentary measures proven to effectively deal with the main problems and if this is in fact all that there is to it, I am somewhat disappointed and say, “it is not enough”. If the aim is to reduce or stop the problems identified by the minister, then the banning of cellphones in schools is not a solution in itself. Is solely banning students from bringing or using mobiles at school going to stop them from recording sexual acts where ever? Is it going to let them know it’s not appropriate, moral or becoming as an individual? Is it going to empower them to make smart decisions about how they use new technology? Later in life when these naïve students have come to their senses, are these measures going to help them be successful in getting the ‘decent’ jobs they want? These measures are far from being at the least strategic and can be considered more as a reflexive move. A deliberate, well prepared plan and effort is warranted as we honestly cannot afford to miss the target here.
As extensive research shows and and as I have previously discussed in this forum, the solution is literacy. Not ‘our’ type of ‘literacy’ that is solely concerned with one’s ability to use the technology or to merely ‘push buttons’ but to really understand and critically use it. Sad to say, this problem applies to the entire society, especially in the Caribbean. How many of you understand the critical issues and debates we are now presented with due to increased access to Internet technology? We as a society (not only the government or just parents) need to help the younger generation successfully acquire this new life skill as opposed to ‘pulling the plug’ on technology and in actuality on their future in this ever increasing global marketplace.
That said, what now are your views on the government’s move?
