Bangkok: "Chatchart" visits Bangkok Metropolitan Administration schools on the first day of the new semester, introducing the measure of students leaving their mobile phones with teachers. Chatchart inspected schools on the first day of the new semester, introducing measures for students to entrust their mobile phones to teachers to reduce screen time and prevent online bullying.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chatchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, along with Mr. Sanon Wangsaengboon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, visited Wat Mahannaparam School under Royal Patronage in Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, on the first day of the new school term for all 437 schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The atmosphere was lively, with parents bringing their children to school. The schools provided breakfast for the children.

Governor Chatchart stated that today, the first day of the new semester for schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), there are proactive measures in place to control and regulate mobile phone use within BMA schools. This is because, in the past, problems arose with children having attention deficit disorder, nearsightedness, and a lack of interaction with teachers and peers. Therefore, the "Phone Off, Learning On" project was initiated to encourage children to focus on learning and to entrust their mobile phones to teachers. This aims to create a more effective learning environment and prevent negative health and behavioral consequences from excessive screen time. Several schools have already piloted this project with positive results. In case of emergencies requiring the use of mobile phones, students can inform their teachers. This measure is supported by research from various countries confirming its effectiveness. The measures include guidelines for collecting devices in the morning, a nd designating specific times for essential communication or use in learning activities.

This school is also the first in Bangkok to use an international curriculum, a push by several Bangkok City Council members. Language is important, but the international curriculum needs careful consideration. It will likely be implemented as a pilot project first, a gradual approach. If successful, it will be expanded further.