The other day I had a chance to visit a school with my friend. It was lunch time and we stepped into the office of the school. Everyone was with a phone in his hand. Scrolling continuously, perhaps trying to find the last page of Facebook. Surprisingly in one corner of the room, I found an educator with a book in his hand turning over the pages of the book. The educator with a shining face was busy with reading. I went towards him and sat beside him not intending to disturb him. From a certain distance I recognised the book. He was reading the NCERT textbook of class 10th science. The others could be seen scrolling Facebook and finding out newer videos of no educational purpose. I have seen most of the teachers in government schools defending the use of phones in schools for information and professional development. But the fact is known to everyone. These are generally used solely for amusement.
When the educator who was reading in the corner of the office stood up and went outside. I followed him. I straight away asked him, "do you read daily from physical books?. He replied, " Yes, that is why my students love me more. I connect with them easily and directly. I do not need to search for answers to the questions from the phone in front of my students which breaks the trust of the students on the teacher".
He asked me a question and I quote, " Do you know why the children generally in the present age do not have as much affection with mothers as it used to be in the past? "I said no. He continued, " In the present age the babies are fed with milk in plastic bottles. But in the past they (babies) were breastfed close to the chest of mother. The physical bond is broken and so is the affection ". He continued with the following data based observation.
Studies show that reading from physical books can lead to better comprehension and focus compared to reading from screens. Phones, with excess to social media can lead to distraction and disruption.
Books often present in depth analysis, encourage ritual thinking, analyze student work and engage in professional discussions. Phones can lead to a superficial understanding of material.
By book reading an educator Personalizes his learning by understanding passages, making notes in the margins. This level of engagement is difficult to replicate on a phone.
Reading books is a relaxing exercise. It reduces stress and promotes a sense of calm.
The educator taught me a lesson. It reminded me how a large chunk of teachers are reading the answers of questions in front of students and asking them to write. This breaks the bond between teacher and students and establishes a new bond between students and screen. Like the bond between mother and children breaks by plastic bottle.
The teacher nowadays doesn't bother about preparing lesson plans as he can use the phone to find out the answer to a question which he is supposed to teach. This damages both the teacher as well as students. Both acquire that half churned knowledge.
The School Education Department has many times issued directives and tightened its noose against teachers using their mobile phones in schools during academic hours. These directives of the SED in Kashmir aim at restricting the use of mobile phones during instructional hours of teachers. But to be honest despite repeated directives the use of mobile phones in schools during instructional hours has turned out to be a big menace which needs to be curbed as soon as possible.
Some of the suggestions that can control this menace can be:
Teachers should be prohibited from using mobile phones for calls, massaging or any other activity that could disrupt the class.
All the mobile phones should be on the desk of the head of the Institute in office during the instructional hours.
Head of the Institute should be set responsible for emergency calling or massaging from his/her phone with the parents or higher ups.
A well designed library should be in the place in each school to maximise the physical book reading and to minimize the use of phones.
News fund is a fund for the news in every school. It should properly be utilized to purchase newspapers with this reading habit of teachers and students can be renovated and inculcated.
Digital facilities like ICT should be utilized consistently.
Lesson plan and Teacher's Diary should be kept in priority and the Head of Institute should be advised to furnish an action taken report and certificate in this regard every week.
Our School education department is taking every step for the benefit of teachers and students. The educators need to push more to make our department proud.

Email:------------------muntashirkifayat@gmail.com