The education minister sent a reminder to all schools across the country to stop using social media for assigning homework. This decision aims to address high screen time among students amid growing concern about its impact on physical and mental health.
The notification is dated 20th March 2025.
The letter signed by the education minister has thirteen points or reminders.
One of the reminders says “Teachers must assign and communicate homework in the school itself. Use of social media for this purpose to be discontinued immediately to maintain clarity and consistency. Other information requiring parents’ attention may still be circulated in class group chats.”
BBS spoke to some parents.
A parent said “It will be very helpful if the government can make teachers implement this. When teachers assign them homework through phones, children engage more in other activities rather than doing homework. Children also tend to spend extra time on the phone even when they are done with their homework.”
Another one said, “It would be beneficial if teachers could return to assigning homework at school, as they did previously, by having students write questions in their books.”
Likewise, one parent said “When homework is sent through social media such as telegram, an illiterate parent like me does not know what my children are doing with their phones. We do not know how to guide them.”
But, some teachers in urban schools said assigning homework through social media platforms is convenient. They said it saves class time, allowing them to focus more on teaching. It is also easy to interact and discuss with both parents and students.
Meanwhile, some teachers in rural areas said using social media is impractical, as illiterate parents cannot help their children.
Another reminder asks all staff to use positive, non-violent methods of discipline. The schools’ heads are to ensure that Dzongkha teachers and all teaching staff refrain from using corporal punishment. The notification said that research indicates children learn more effectively in a safe, fear-free environment.
The ministry stated that it will constantly monitor all schools and non-compliance will lead to administrative action. It looks like a similar letter was sent in September last year.
Sangay Chozom
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
