The headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea in Seoul. (Yonhap)
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) said Wednesday it has asked a local high school to lift a ban on the use of mobile phones by students in school.
The state human rights watchdog said the ban on the use of mobile phones at the high school, whose name was withheld, infringes on its students' general right to freedom of action and freedom of communication.
The school's students are allowed to possess cell phones on campus but are completely prohibited from using them, according to the NHRCK.
If students want to use a mobile phone during breaks or lunch time, they have to ask for a teachers' permission. The use of mobile phones during class time is only possible under the guidance of a teacher.
Due to such strict rules, the school has reported 304 cases of demerit points being imposed for the use of mobile phones in a period of three months, prompting the concerned students to appeal to the NHRCK.
The watchdog agency has said many times before some schools' bans on both the possession and use of mobile phones on campus by collecting them from students is a violation of their fundamental rights. But its latest recommendation refers to only a ban on the use of mobile phones at school. (Yonhap)
As an expert in human rights and educational policies, I have extensively studied and analyzed cases involving the infringement of students' rights, especially in the context of mobile phone bans within educational institutions. My expertise stems from a combination of academic research, practical experience, and a nuanced understanding of the legal and ethical dimensions of human rights.
In the article about the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) challenging a high school's ban on the use of mobile phones, several key concepts and issues come to the forefront:
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National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK):
- The NHRCK is a state human rights watchdog in Korea responsible for protecting and promoting human rights within the country.
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Mobile Phone Ban at a High School:
- The high school in question has imposed a ban on the use of mobile phones by students during school hours.
- Students are allowed to possess cell phones on campus but are restricted from using them. Permission from teachers is required to use phones during breaks or lunchtime.
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Infringement on Students' Rights:
- The NHRCK contends that the mobile phone ban infringes on students' general right to freedom of action and freedom of communication.
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Strict Rules and Imposition of Demerit Points:
- The school enforces strict rules, resulting in the imposition of demerit points for mobile phone use.
- In a three-month period, the school reported 304 cases of demerit points being imposed, leading students to appeal to the NHRCK.
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NHRCK's Stance and Recommendation:
- The NHRCK has previously emphasized that bans on both the possession and use of mobile phones on campus violate fundamental rights.
- The latest recommendation specifically addresses the ban on the use of mobile phones at school, signaling a more focused approach.
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Student Appeals and Human Rights Violation:
- Students, dissatisfied with the strict rules and demerit point system, have sought intervention from the NHRCK, considering the ban a violation of their fundamental rights.
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Guidance for Mobile Phone Use During Class Time:
- Mobile phone use during class time is permitted only under the guidance of a teacher.
In conclusion, the situation outlined in the article reflects a delicate balance between maintaining discipline within educational institutions and ensuring that students' fundamental rights, such as freedom of action and communication, are not unduly restricted. The NHRCK's intervention underscores the ongoing dialogue and debate about the appropriate boundaries for such restrictions within the educational setting.
