Mobile Phones in Classrooms

Refer to this news article.

I only have one question regarding this quote:

“Having handphones in classrooms are disruptive because pupils are found to be more intent on sending SMS rather than paying attention to the lessons,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the Committee on Controlling Discipli nary Problems in Schools yesterday.

Question: Did the deputy minister conduct any meaningful survey / study on this issue? How did he come to the conclusion that having handphones in classrooms are disruptive? Where did he get his information that pupils are found to be sending SMS rather than paying attention to lessons?

Next he also mentions the following:

“I urge parents not to allow their children to carry mobile phones to schools. In cases of emergency, the school office phone is always available,” he said.

Question: Is the school office phone really available for students use? How can it cater to the hundreds of students when the final bell rings and parents are looking for ways to communicate with their children on where to wait for the car?

Basically, the ministry is still stuck in the 20th century, in the unconnected era. In this age of seamless always-on communication, I would actually encourage the use of any ICT device, and this includes handphones (mobile communication devices) that are able to access the Internet and help students in supplementing their lessons with independent online research. If discipline is such a concern, then the school administrations should think of better ways, such as imposing a "silent mode only" ruling in classrooms, and training teachers to cope with the new generation of connected young leaders.