“The decision was taken after the education department received complaints from parents about teachers interrupting classes to answer calls in the classrooms. Students too cannot use mobile phones,” said Kadam. The rule may also be extended to colleges and institutes of higher education, he added.

Most schools do not allow use of mobile phones in classrooms. However, principals say, the new directive will help in further reinforcing the existing rules. A Satyavan, principal of YCS Vidyamandir School, Bhandup, said, “If the school authorities ask teachers or students to stop using mobile phones within the premises, not many would take our instructions seriously. However, with the state government now issuing a notice for the same, it would have more impact.”

According to the Principal Gool Ghadiali of Gopal Sharma International and Memorial School, Powai, if any student is caught using a mobile phone,the school authority will confiscate it. “It is a wise decision. Besides causing disturbance, mobiles can also be misused for clicking photographs and distorting them, making MMS etc. There are some students who get expensive models and show them to their friends. We have asked teachers to check the bags of students for any mobile phones.”