Should students be allowed to bring mobile phones to school?
Nicholas Wong Hei, 17
Sing Yin Secondary School
Yes, although I admit that students may play games or send short text messages using their mobile phones.
Even without mobile phones, students will find ways to entertain themselves if the lessons are not interesting. If students are not allowed to bring mobile phones to school, why should teachers have that privilege?
Teachers are not expected to use handsets during lessons. And I believe they will not be criticised if they leave the classroom to make an urgent call.
Teachers could lose their phones. If this happens, they might not be able to concentrate on their lessons and could waste valuable time looking for their missing phone.
Both teachers and students have a common reason for bringing mobile phones to school - to use them before and after classes.
Many of them don't usually go back home straight after school, so a mobile phone can let their friends or relatives contact them easily. If students do not have a mobile phone, parents will have no way to get in touch with them.
Parents will be worried about their children, thinking that they might have had an accident or got into trouble in the streets.
I agree that students should not use their mobile phones during lessons, but they should be able to use the handsets before and after school.
Phoenix Lee Ching-kwan, 18
Tin Ka Ping Secondary School
No. Although I have a mobile phone, I don't think students should be allowed to bring one to school.
It is true that mobile phones have become a part of our lives. But they are not necessary in school. Nowadays, mobile phones are not used solely for communication - they are also an entertainment tool.
They are equipped with games and camera functions. When the lessons become boring, students could use their phones to secretly send short text messages and play games.
Another problem is that thefts would soar. Most mobile phones cost at least HK$1,000. Some students might be tempted to steal their classmate's phone.
Students are also careless and could easily lose their mobile phones.
Valuable time would be lost if school staff had to search for the missing handsets.
If a student wants to chat with a friend on the phone, they can do it after school. And if they want to make an important call, there are pay phones.
Besides, I believe most teachers are willing to help a student who has an urgent need to contact somebody.
Many students bring mobile phones to school to show off rather than for practical reasons.
To avoid unnecessary disputes, it's better to ban mobile phones in school.