West Pasaman Education Office coordinates gadget usage rules in schools

The West Pasaman District Education Office in West Sumatra is coordinating and awaiting regulations from the Provincial Government regarding rules on gadget use for students and teachers in schools. “We are still waiting while coordinating with the West Sumatra Provincial Education Office on the Child Protection Regulation for Electronic System Governance (PP Tunas),” said the Head of the West Pasaman Education Office, Imter Pedri, in Simpang Empat on Sunday. According to him, the office will fully support the regulation and prepare guidelines for gadget use if necessary to ensure learning is safe, healthy, and character-oriented. In natural schools, during teaching and learning activities (KBM), mobile phones must be in silent mode and stored in designated places by the teacher, except when used under direct instruction from the subject teacher. Mobile phone use is only permitted for planned educational purposes under teacher supervision and must not be used freely during KBM. The office also prohibits cyberbullying, spreading false information (hoaxes), and accessing content contrary to educational norms and morality. Meanwhile, one parent in Simpang Empat, Rudi (42), supports restrictions on social media and online games for children under 16. He also hopes for strict school rules on mobile phone use during the teaching and learning process. “We hope there will be regulations so that children do not get addicted to playing with mobile phones,” he said.