Chennai, India (CU)_ Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, the Minister of School Education for Tamil Nadu, issued a warning to school students against bringing mobile phones to school, stating that any such devices seen on the school premises will be seized. The Minister’s warning was issued on Tuesday, a day after classes one to ten resumed on Monday.
Poyyamozhi stated that the students are not permitted to carry mobile phones to school, adding that such devices are prohibited. He said, “Though mobile phones have been a regular feature in attending online classes since the last two years due to the pandemic, there have been many distractions, too. The young minds should be refreshed through the education curriculum. If brought, the phones would be confiscated from the students and would not be returned”.
This action is consistent with the declaration he made in May before the State Assembly that school students should not bring mobile phones to class. Accordingly, he noted that a circular has already been distributed to schools in this respect. Poyyamozhi told reporters that provisions have been made for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and police personnel to take special lessons during the first couple of days, particularly for classes 11 and 12.
In addition, the Minister stated that measures were being taken to improve the infrastructure and environment of the temple of learning, as well as to hire additional school instructors. Classes 1 to 10 started on June 13 in the state, while the academic year for Class 12 pupils will begin on June 20 and Class 11 will begin on June 27. The minister had previously announced that the department of school education has introduced a new app for teachers to submit their leave application papers. With the implementation of this application, the instructors no longer need to submit formal letters to the head of school for unpaid or medical leave.
