The use of mobile phones and other gadgets during class hours is still being prohibited in schools in Zamboanga City.  

According to the Department of Education (DepEd)-Zamboanga City, the use of cellphones and gadgets is being regulated to allow students to concentrate during class hours.  

“Ever since bawal na talaga yung cellphone during class hours kasi disruption yan sa teaching-learning ng teacher,” DepEd-Zamboanga City School Governance and Operations Division Chief, Basilio Uy, said.  

Students may use their cellphones only for research purposes during class hours, but they must follow the rules set by the teacher.  

“Although we don’t confiscate cellphone during class hour but meron tayong mga ground rules sa classroom tayo during teaching-learning process, naka mute ang mga cellphone, nakatago ang mga cellphone,” Uy added.  

Even parents are also monitoring their children constantly so they can focus on their studies. 

“Kay gusto nako naa gyud siya’y (matun-an) sa iyang utok,..kanangcellphone makabugo man gud na poreso…maghatag ko sa akoang apo usa ka oras nga pagdula kaniya, paghuman pabasahun napud na siyanako,” a guardian, Mayra Alvar, said.  

“Dito lang maggamit kapag hinihiram kapag walang klase…binabantayan ko rin maggamit , tinuturuan ko siya kapag sa bahay mag-aral,” another parent, Fatma Cuevas, added.