Parents Sound Alarm Over Rising Digital Risks”
By Jeff Kizzilah/Digital Editor
NATIONAL PARENTS ASSOCIATION (NPA) PRESS STATEMENT ON THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES IN SCHOOLS
The National Parents Association (NPA) wishes to express its growing concern regarding the increasing use and possession of personal mobile phones by learners in basic education institutions across the country. This concern is particularly heightened as Grade 9 learners transition to senior school, a critical stage in their academic and social development.
While acknowledging that mobile phones are essential communication tools in today’s digital age, the Association warns that their uncontrolled use within school environments is posing significant risks. These concerns have been echoed by parents, educators, and key stakeholders in the education sector.
The NPA has received numerous reports from parents highlighting the negative impact of mobile phone use in schools, including:
Increased cases of examination malpractice, including cheating during national examinations.
Exposure of learners to online abuse, such as grooming, exploitation, and access to inappropriate content.
Disruption of learning due to misuse of phones during school hours.
Rising cases of indiscipline and unauthorized communication with external individuals.
Growing concerns over moral safety, including inappropriate interactions among learners and with outsiders.
In light of these challenges, the NPA is calling upon the Ministry of Education and school administrators to urgently strengthen and enforce policies regulating or restricting the possession of personal mobile phones in basic education institutions.
Further, the Association is proposing an urgent consultative meeting with the Ministry of Education to explore sustainable alternatives. Among the proposals is the introduction of school-managed communication systems, including monitored phone usage frameworks that ensure safe, controlled, and affordable communication between learners and their parents or guardians.
The NPA believes that implementing such measures will:
Enhance learner safety and protection.
Strengthen discipline and academic focus within schools.
Reduce incidents of examination malpractice.
Promote secure and structured parent-child communication under school supervision.
The National Parents Association reiterates its commitment to working collaboratively with the Ministry of Education, school leadership, and parents to foster a safe, disciplined, and effective learning environment for all learners across Kenya.
