📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Original: Harshit SR
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Education
Uttarakhand Montessori School’s Anti‑Mobile Drill Leaves Children in Tears
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 23 Sep 2026, 04:32 AM
👁 7
A Montessori school in Uttarakhand held an anti‑mobile phone activity that resulted in several children crying, prompting strong reactions from parents and teachers.
A Montessori school in Uttarakhand organized an activity aimed at discouraging the use of mobile phones among its pupils. The exercise, which involved confiscating devices and public admonishment, caused visible distress, with several children breaking into tears during the session.
Parents who witnessed the incident expressed shock, with some describing the scene as "heart‑breaking" and questioning the appropriateness of such a punitive approach. Teachers involved defended the initiative, stating that it was intended to reinforce focus and reduce digital distraction in the classroom.
Education experts have weighed in, noting that while concerns about excessive screen time are valid, methods that induce emotional trauma may be counterproductive. The school has not yet released a formal statement on whether it will modify the activity in response to the backlash.
The incident highlights the growing tension in Indian schools between managing technology use and safeguarding student well‑being, a debate that continues to evolve across the country.
Parents who witnessed the incident expressed shock, with some describing the scene as "heart‑breaking" and questioning the appropriateness of such a punitive approach. Teachers involved defended the initiative, stating that it was intended to reinforce focus and reduce digital distraction in the classroom.
Education experts have weighed in, noting that while concerns about excessive screen time are valid, methods that induce emotional trauma may be counterproductive. The school has not yet released a formal statement on whether it will modify the activity in response to the backlash.
The incident highlights the growing tension in Indian schools between managing technology use and safeguarding student well‑being, a debate that continues to evolve across the country.