Senator Gatchalian Eyes Ban on Cellphone Use Inside Classrooms

CELLPHONE BAN – Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian eyes a ban on the use of cell phones inside classrooms.

On Thursday (April 25, 2024), the Senator is currently reviewing a proposal to ban the use of mobile phones inside classrooms of Basic Education Institutions such as Elementary and High Schools.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Senator Win Gatchalian said that this move aims to encourage students to spend more time reading books rather than engaging in social media.

Gatchalian is prepared to bring Senate Bill No. 475, also known as the National Reading Month Act, to the Senate plenary. He suggested prohibiting students from bringing their cell phones to school, particularly inside classrooms.

The lawmaker emphasized that the proposed measure aims to address the poor performance of Filipino learners in international assessments, particularly in reading proficiency.

“Isa rin sa mga observation,  hindi lang dito sa atin ha, pati sa ibang bansa. Marami sa ating mga bata, talagang nalululong na sa paggamit ng cellphone. Even dun sa loob ng classroom,” Gatchalian said.

This step is intended to prevent students from losing interest in learning due to excessive gadget use.

“Dapat nagbabasa sila pero nanonood ng YouTube, nanonood ng Tik Tok. Pinag-aaralan ko ngayon yung i-ban na yung sa mga bata lang, yung paggamit ng cellphone sa loob ng classroom at sa loob ng school hours,” he explained.

Meanwhile, under the National Reading Month measure, students must purchase a book they must read afterward. The objective is to encourage children to actively engage in reading again.

“Lahat ng mga ahensya na may kinalaman, at mga institusyon, tumulong na maghikayat na magbasa ang bata… yung mga bookstores hinihikayat nating magbigay din ng discounts, kasi kailangan ding bumili ng libro,” he added.

The social media users expressed their reactions to the post: