Cellphone Confiscation

Cellphone-ConfiscationDownload

28 January 2020
Dear Parents
The cell phone (and other electronic devices such as tablets, MP3 players, other music players and cameras) has no
educational value at school and, as such, it is not permitted for learners to bring such items to school during the
school day. Possession of a cell phone at school during the school day is thus prohibited and any cell phone found on
a learner or are visible will be confiscated by the educators.
The reasons for this policy are as follows:

  1. There is no educational reason why a cell phone must be on a learner at school.
  2. Use of web-based communication has become obsessive and does not form part of the curriculum. Kids are
    exposed to unlawful material that they obtain through the free Wifi.
  3. The use of the camera facility on most cell phones is open to abuse with the possibility of pictures being taken of
    incidents which are then spread to others thus harming the good name of the school.
  4. The learners are at risk of mugging when going to and from school and there is an alarming increase in the
    numbers of reported incidents around many schools in the country.
  5. It is easy to conceal a cell phone, thus there is the risk of theft of valuable electronic items while at school.
    In addition, there is significant pressure on learners to have the latest model cell phone and their parents are thus
    placed under financial pressure to acquire such a phone.
    If a learner needs to bring a cell phone to school for a specific reason, the cell phone must be SWITCHED OFF at the
    start of the school day and may be SWITCHED ON at the end of the school day.
    Please remind your child not to share their phones with others. Remind your child that they are responsible for their
    own phone. If another student is caught using their phone, or having it visible the phone will still be taken and the
    steps listed above will apply to the owner of the phone. Nellie Swart Primary DO NOT entertain the losses of any
    phone and other electronic devices.
    We ask that you remind your child that a cell phone is a privilege. If a cell phone is removed from your child, you will
    be notified by the Deputy at the end of the day via SMS as a well as a confiscation letter, which will be given to your
    child. You as parent/guardian needs to collect the phone at the office. A fine of R250 is payable before the phone
    will be released.
    While it is appreciated that this policy may cause inconvenience for learners and their parents/guardians it must be
    understood that it has been drawn up with the best interests of the learners at heart, with consideration for their
    education, their personal safety and the safety of their possessions.