Itahari: Private colleges in Itahari of Sunsari have banned the use of mobile phones among students. The colleges imposed the ban acting on the directive of Sunsari District Education Office (DEO) a year and half ago.

On February 29 and March 1, Koshi St James Colleges in Itahari fined Rs 50 to 70 higher secondary and bachelor´s level students found using mobile phones on campus.

“We fined the students as they were found using mobile phones without paying any attention to the teachers. We returned the mobile phones after the students paid the fine,” said Sashi Shrestha, chief of the management committee of St James College. The restriction on the use of mobile phones was enforced after affirmation of the move from the parents, informed Shrestha.

“The motive behind discouraging the use of mobile phones on campus is to make the students focus on studies,” Shrestha.

Bishwa Adharsha College has also enforced the ban and has fined more than 40 students found using mobile phones in class, according to college Principal Lekhnath Ghimire. “Students found defying the ban are fined up to Rs 100,” said Ghimire.

Sunil Pandey, an 11th grader, said that the students continue to bring mobile phones to college despite the ban. “However, this rule has made the students focus more on studies,” said Pandey.

Meanwhile, Kasturi College, besides fining the students has also been informing the parents if their wards are found carrying mobile phones to college. “We fine the students who break the rule repeatedly. Most of the time we consult the issue with parents,” said Vice-principal Kamlesh Sharma Poudel.

According to Poudel, this rule was implemented after students were found chatting, SMSing or playing games during classes.

However, the restriction has also been imposed in public colleges and community +2 colleges in Itahari. “The rule has not been enforced on students pursuing higher degrees,” said Geeta Poudel, Vice Principal of Janata College.

source: republica,2 March 2013