A member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Olalekan Abiola, who represents Akinyele 1 State Constituency, has proposed a motion seeking to ban the use of mobile phones by secondary school students during school hours.
While presenting the motion titled “Need to Ban the Use of Mobile Phones in Secondary Schools in the State to Improve Student Discipline and Better Academic Performance,” Abiola expressed concern over the growing misuse of mobile phones among students.
He noted that although mobile phones serve as vital communication tools, their use in schools has contributed to several negative trends including distraction during lessons, declining reading culture, increased truancy, and rising cases of indiscipline.
He further stated that some students have resorted to smuggling phones into examination halls to cheat, thereby compromising the integrity of academic assessments. Additionally, he warned that unrestricted phone use has exposed students to cyberbullying, sexting, and inappropriate online content.
Abiola urged school authorities to establish formal communication systems that allow parents to reach their children during emergencies without disrupting academic activities.
Following his submission, the House directed its Standing Committee on Education—Basic and Secondary—to consult with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, the Agency for Mobilisation, and the Ministry of Information. The aim is to develop clear strategies to regulate phone use in secondary schools across the state.
