A video circulating on social media since last Friday shows a responsible from Nelson-Mandela College in Libreville destroying nine mobile phones seized from students. The scene, filmed in the school courtyard, has divided public opinion. Some people have applauded the administrator's actions, saying it is about enforcing school rules, while others have expressed outrage, calling it excessive and illegal.
In Gabon, the internal regulations of most high schools and colleges prohibit the use of mobile phones in class. The goal is to prevent distractions, cheating, cyberbullying, and unauthorized recordings. School administrators have the right to confiscate phones temporarily and proportionally, with the possibility of returning them to parents or at the end of the trimester, along with a disciplinary report.
Destroying nine devices is a spectacular gesture and sends a message, but to whom? Students may only remember the violence of the act, not the rule, and may view their administrator as a enforcer rather than an educator. Humiliating sanctions often do not educate, but rather revolt. The role of the school is to train responsible citizens.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by administrators, including overcrowded classes, hyperconnected students, and a lack of clear support from the education ministry. The debate is not about the use of a hammer, but rather how to enforce discipline in the era of smartphones. It is urgent that the education ministry clarifies the procedure for managing digital devices, emphasizing the absolute prohibition of mobile phones.
The incident has sparked a national conversation about discipline and mobile phone use in schools. Some argue that the destruction of the phones was an excessive measure, while others believe it was necessary to enforce school rules. The incident has also raised questions about the role of administrators and the support they receive from the education ministry.
The education ministry's clarification on the procedure for managing digital devices is expected to provide guidance on how to handle similar situations in the future. The incident has also highlighted the need for schools to provide alternative solutions for students to store their phones during class hours.
The incident at Nelson-Mandela College has sparked a wider conversation about the challenges faced by schools in enforcing discipline and the need for a clear and consistent approach to managing digital devices.
Key points
- The destruction of nine mobile phones by a school administrator in Gabon has sparked debate about discipline and mobile phone use in schools.
- The incident highlights the challenges faced by administrators in enforcing discipline, including overcrowded classes and hyperconnected students.
- The education ministry is expected to clarify the procedure for managing digital devices, emphasizing the absolute prohibition of mobile phones.
