DUSHANBE, March 10, 2009, Asia-Plus – Deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) have endorsed the bill putting a ban on the use of cell phones at high schools.
A regular sitting of the fifth session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the third convocation, presided over by its chairman, Saydullo Khairulloyev, was held on March 10.
Parliamentarians considered and approved a number of amendments made to the country’s laws on education, higher and post-graduate vocational education and basic vocational education.
Presenting the bill requiring amendments to the mentioned laws, MP Dodikhudo Saymuddinov noted that the amendments concerned putting ban on the use of cell phones at high schools irrespective of forms of property. “The ban applies to teachers as well,” Saymuddinov said.
According to him, the amendments resulted from president’s numerous addresses and are aimed at improving quality of the education process. “The education minister’s order on the ban of the use of cell phones has not yielded proper results, and therefore, time has come to take legislative measures,” the parliamentarian said
We will recall that President Emomali Rahmon in March 2007 ordered the ban on the use of cell phones and private cars at high schools.
Those who break the law will have to pay a fee in accordance with the provisions of the country’s administrative code, Saymuddinov said.
In the meantime, speaking at the meeting, MP Yusuf Ahmadov noted that many parents used cell phones to control their children. “If there is necessity for adoption of such amendments, it is necessary to install public telephones at all schools in order that parents would know where their kids are,” Ahmadov said.
He also noted that the most serious problem that was currently facing the education sector in the country was an acute shortage of teachers. “Instead of tackling this serious problem, we have discussed the use of cell phones at educational facilities,” Ahmadov said.
By the majority of votes, parliamentarians approved the amendments.
