The idea of implementing a ban on mobile phones within university premises has left students across the city feeling unsettled. The Higher Education and Technical Education Department of the Maharashtra government has proposed this rule in order to address the issue of cybercrime in universities.
Nevertheless, the students were disheartened by the infringement on their freedom. Lala Atole, a student at ILS Law School, considers the proposed ban to be entirely illogical.
"School authorities can impose stricter rules on the use of mobile phones in classrooms, but installing wifi jammer will directly affect students' freedom," he said. Some students believe that installing jammers will not affect most students because they are addicted to games during class. "If mobile phones are banned and we can't even answer important calls, students may think of avoiding lectures." How does that help students?" "Asked Vedang Bhagwat, a student at Garware College.
While students have complained about the move, university authorities remain divided over the proposal. They can install jammers in classrooms, but not throughout the campus. Hrishikesh Suman, principal of Symbiosis College of Arts and Business, said: "cell phone jammer definitely help prevent distractions during class. Outside of the classroom, however, this can affect internal academic communication with teachers." The authorities would welcome such a move only if they were given the power to control jammers. "Signal congestion affects our security systems and impedes emergency communications. Also, students are not used to restrictions, which can do more harm than good." Dilip Sheth, principal of SP College.
Teachers believe that voluntary restraint is more helpful. "Students should voluntarily avoid using mobile phones without our close attention," added MMCC principal MD Lawrence. Some people are even in favor of using cell phones on campus. "signal jammer are not the solution because there are a lot of out-of-town students in Pune and their guardians usually need to contact them," adds Girija Shankar, vice president of Neswadia Business School.