CHALLENGES STUDENTS FACE FOR NOT BEING ALLOWED TO USE MOBILE PHONES IN SCHOOL. A CASE STUDY IN TAMALE MOTROPOLIS

ABSTRACT The main objective of the study was to examine the challenges students face for not being allowed to use mobile phone in school with particular reference to Dabokpa Technical Institute in the Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region of Ghana. The researcher used descriptive research design for the study. The sample size for the study was 185 samples made up of 150 students, 15 teachers, and 10 workshop assistants all from the school and 10 GES personnel from the Regional Directorate, Tamale. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. This questionnaire was designed for GES personnel, teachers and students of Dabokpa Technical Institute in the Tamale metropolis of the Northern Region of Ghana. The findings of the study revealed that, students found it difficult to communicate with their families and relations. The study also showed that students were unable to receive money from parents, access online library services and download educational materials from the internet because they were banned from using mobile phones. The study indicated that the GES personnel in the sample were all against students being allowed to use mobile phones in school because they believed students would misuse the phones to the detriment of their studies. Based on the findings of the study it is recommended that total ban should not be placed on the use of mobile phones by students of second cycle institutions since there are educational benefits inherent in the use of mobile phones. Additionally, the Ghana Education Service through the Curriculum Research Development Division (CRDD) may redesign the school curriculum to suit the use of mobile phones in both basic and second cycle schools as part of learning tools.