Unexpected effect
Vo Van Kiet High School, Phuoc Long commune, Ca Mau implemented the "School without phones" model from 2021. According to Ms. Tran Thi Cam Trinh, a teacher: "Without using phones, students exchange groups very well; interacting with each other with words and gestures is very convenient.
Le Mai Phuc, a student in class 10A5, said: "Previously, when using the phone during class, every time I received messages from friends, I would answer them before continuing to study, when teachers gave questions, I often asked for phone support. Currently, without a phone, I feel more focused on studying, attentively listening to teachers' lectures, thinking for myself, thinking about how to solve problems, answer questions, not relying on the phone, thereby studying more progressively.
The non-use of phones is applied by Vo Van Kiet High School even during recess. At the beginning of the hour, students keep their phones in the closet, and at the end of the hour they take them home. This is why their recess is also bustling. There are groups playing volleyball, groups playing chess, groups reading books, or chatting with each other. The simple reason is that students do not close their eyes to the phone screen.
Mr. Tran Quang Dien - Principal of the school - informed: "When implementing, there were also a few opinions that using phones is a personal right of students, if strictly prohibited, it is not right. However, after the Board of Directors clearly analyzed the negative impacts of using phones in schools and clearly stated their views on what is beneficial to students, the school implemented it.
Not going against the times
During class, for subject content that needs to use phones, teachers will allow students to take them out to use, and after using them, store them. However, currently, classrooms have been invested with TV screens and projectors, so students need to use phones very little.
Leaving the phone screen, recess at Vo Van Kiet High School is filled with sports, arts, folk games, reading, learning support and participating in life skills training clubs.
“Previously, when the school allowed the use of phones, during recess I often stayed in class to surf the internet, watch YouTube or chat with friends. But now I go to the yard to participate in sports activities, study activities with friends, I feel that recess is more fun, helping to train more skills and strengthen friendships” - Nguyen Ngoc Xuyen - a 10A6 student, Vo Van Kiet High School - said.
Mr. Pham Tien Nguyen - Head of the Parent Representative Board of Vo Van Kiet High School - affirmed: "Not using phones is not to keep students away from modern civilization, but to prevent students from being swept away too early into a virtual world, where many traps are being set. Smartphones bring many utilities, but if childhood passes before the screen, it is very difficult to have the opportunity to return for the second time".
Principal of Vo Van Kiet High School Tran Quang Dien shared: "The ban on using phones in schools is not just about discipline, it is about protecting the healthy development of students. Because when social networks penetrate classrooms, leading to clips being filmed, spreading false or violent information, the educational environment is difficult to maintain the necessary purity.
Previously, when phones were not prohibited, if there were any conflicts in school, students would text each other online to arrange to resolve conflicts after school hours, but when there were no more phones, school conflicts were limited and pushed away. For many years of schooling, there have been no more school violence cases, including conflicts on social networks.
To help students "act in cyberspace", the school organizes a contest to share beautiful images. The first thing requires students not to use fake nicks, encouraging them to only post beautiful, meaningful, fun information and images at home, suitable for fine customs and traditions... After 1 year, the information with the most interaction will be rewarded. This is why students use social networks effectively, gradually staying away from bad and toxic information on social networks.
