The Executive Director of Eduwatch, Kofi Asare, has called for urgent and deliberate measures to strictly enforce the ban on mobile devices in schools, arguing that technology is a major driver of poor academic performance and indiscipline.

Contributing to a debate on TV3’s The Key Points on December 6, 2025, regarding the poor student performance in the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) 2025 examinations, particularly in Mathematics, Asare referred to research conducted by his organisation.

He stated that devices meant to aid academic research are overwhelmingly being used by students for non-academic, distracting, and illicit purposes.

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He pointed to two major areas of concern regarding the misuse of mobile devices and government-procured learning tablets.

He asserted that the mobile phone is the primary means through which students cheat in the examination room.

Furthermore, he claimed that even the tablets procured by the government for learning purposes are being abused.

Quoting the Minister of Education, Asare said the educational tablets have, "long ago, been used to watch Nigerian movies and pornography because there are no filters these are basic issues."

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The Eduwatch Executive Director stressed that the problem is not the technology itself, but the abuse of devices.

"So, if we are deliberate in banning the use of mobile phones… it will also lead to much more discipline in our schools," he added.

He urged authorities to take decisive action to curb the distractions and restore focus in the classroom environment.

MRA/EB

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