The Editor, Sir:

In responding to the article on October 2 on banning cellphones in school, I write with outrage at the Education Minister Andrew Holness in his support for a ban on cellphones in schools. It was further stated that Ruel Reid of Jamaica College has a 'no cellphone policy' at his school.

This is the 21st century and technology is always changing to accommodate man's advancing lifestyle. With the high crime rate, at present in Jamaica, having a cellphone is just one tool kids can use to stay safe and parents to feel some kind of solace knowing that they can keep in communication with their kids.

Crime-solving capabilities

Cellphones have been documented by police in the United States to have helped solve many crimes. It is also documented that cellphones have been instrumental in preventing many young girls from being kidnapped and raped when their assailants realise they were being recorded by a cellphone wielding person.

Having a cellphone is not just a status symbol anymore, but is a necessary tool in the fight against crime. I'm sure most 119 emergency calls to the police to come from cellphones.

If a kid goes out of the house to a social gathering or to visit the malls, his or her parent would want that kid to have some way of communicating with them. So going to school is just an extension of a person's everyday life.

Cellphone etiquette

The minister should use his office to mandate all schools to teach cellphone etiquette. Cellphones, like computers, are part of the global communication revolution which I would hope Jamaica would want to be a part of.

So, to the Honourable Minister, Andrew Holness, and the principal of Jamaica College Reul Reid, banning cellphones or even putting forward such a recommendation can only lead to the detriment of these school kids and label Jamaica as an archaic country.

I am, etc.,

STEWART YOUNG

stewartyoung11@hotmail.com

Wheaton, Maryland

Via Go-Jamaica