VIJAYAWADA: Latest models costing more than Rs. 20,000 are something college managements cannot take away and keep in their custody even for a few hours. When the faculty members ask for surrender of cellphones brought by students into classrooms, some say theirs are costly pieces gifted by someone living abroad and that they don't want to leave them anywhere.

Not just the students are unwilling to part with the cellphones though for a few hours, even the managements are averse to keeping them, as that will give them trouble if anything goes wrong with such instruments.

SMS menace

Cellphones are being allowed into classrooms provided they are kept in the silent mode, but that is not happening most of the time. Moreover, there is the menace of SMS. They keep typing something into the pieces and go on sending and receiving messages. It affects students' studies and also the attention of teachers concerned.

Sensing a potential danger in this, Commissioner of Collegiate Education K. Lakshminarayana has issued directions to all colleges in the State to keep a strict vigil on cellphones. The colleges are asked not to allow students to use cellphones in classrooms. Even lecturers have to avoid using them while teaching any class.

Following this, colleges have notices put up outside all departments and administrative offices for the information of all. Some colleges have even banned use of cellphones on their campuses by both students and lecturers.

Andhra Loyola College (ALC) is allowing lecturers to use cellphones only in staff rooms and privately. When it comes to students, strict instructions are given asking them not to switch the cellphones on during class work or while on the campus.

Sensitive equipment

ALC principal S. Emmanuel says that students and lecturers are told to follow the ban on cellphones meticulously.

"There is no visible violation of the rule. But some candidates try to keep them on and play games or send messages.

We are thinking of tackling this effectively. The only problem arises with costly cellphones and it is not advisable to keep them away from students. They are sensitive equipment and anything may go wrong," he adds.

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