QC resolution bans use of mobile phones during classes in public schools

The local government of Quezon City on Tuesday announced the passage of a resolution ordering public schools to prohibit the use of mobile phones during class hours.

The city government said the council passed Resolution 6969-2017, which instructs Division City Schools to strictly implement the Department of Education's (DepEd) order against the use of mobile phones during class hours in elementary and high schools.

The city resolution, authored by Councilor Julienne Alyson Rae Medalla, underscores the need for school authorities as well as parents to devise ways to educate students on the responsible use of their mobile devices.

A resolution passed by the DepEd in 2003, orders heads of public elementary and secondary schools to prohibit students from using cellphones during class hours.

"It has been noted that cell phones have been proliferated with lewd and obscene picture messages particularly those capable of Multi-Media Services (MMS)," said the DepEd resolution.

Medalla's resolution, meanwhile, said that cellphones "can also present considerable distractions to the students and their classmates..."

The Quezon City government said that resolution will be sent to all heads of public schools, parent-teacher associations and school government councils in the city. —Erwin Colcol/ALG, GMA News