Greetings to the esteemed judges, the opposition team,
teachers, and fellow students. It is an honor to represent the school
debating team that opposes the motion of allowing hand phones in schools.
Allowing hand phones in school premises is a contentious issue, and we
believe that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.
Firstly, hand phones can be a source of distraction for students. The use of
hand phones while driving is prohibited due to the increased risk of
accidents, and the same rationale applies to students at school. Students
may spend their time sending text messages or making calls to their friends
instead of focusing on their studies. The purpose of school is to provide a
conducive environment for learning, and the presence of hand phones can
disrupt this.
Secondly, the affordability of hand phones has increased due to the prepaid
system. This has led to a competition among students to own the latest, most
expensive hand phones with the latest features. Video phones have become the
latest craze, and there have been reports of students using these phones to
film other students in compromising positions. The resulting blackmail or
circulation of these videos through the internet is unacceptable.
Thirdly, not all students can afford hand phones, and the pressure to own
one can be unhealthy. This can lead to theft or shoplifting among students,
which is not conducive to a healthy learning environment. The focus on
material possessions can also lead to a negative culture of materialism.
Fourthly, students have been caught using SMS to cheat during examinations.
This technology allows students to cheat and obtain high marks without
putting in the effort. Honest and ethical students feel undermined by this
behavior and may also resort to cheating, which defeats the purpose of
studying hard and competing fairly.
While supporters of hand phones argue that they should be allowed for
emergency purposes, we believe that schools should provide public phones for
this purpose. Phone use should be restricted to the morning or lunch breaks.
In conclusion, we strongly oppose the motion that hand phones should be
allowed in schools due to the negative effects they have on students. The
purpose of school is to provide a conducive environment for learning, and
the presence of hand phones can disrupt this. Thank you for your attention. |