Payyavoor: Amid growing concerns over the misuse of mobile phones among children, the Payyavoor panchayat has launched a novel initiative titled `Mother’s phone is mine too.'The project, rolled out on a pilot basis at Chamakkal Government LP School, will run for ten months.

As part of the programme, awareness classes will be held for all students and their mothers. A register will be maintained to record mobile phone usage by each pair of mother and child. Together, they are required to decide on the daily usage time in the presence of the class teacher and sign an agreement in the register. Phone use will then be recorded daily and school authorities will review the entries at regular intervals. Families that successfully restrict phone use as agreed will be presented with gifts.

The project comes in response to the challenges many households have faced in the post-pandemic period due to children’s unchecked use of mobile phones. By placing phone use under the supervision of mothers, the initiative aims to guide children toward healthier habits.

The programme was inaugurated by Payyavoor Panchayat President Saju Xavier, with Vice President Preetha Suresh presiding over the function. Standing Committee President Sheena John, ward president Prabhavathi Mohan and others also spoke on the occasion.

School Headmaster E P Jayaprakash, PTA President K G Shibu and Mothers’ PTA President Saumya Dinesh will lead the project. Panchayat President Saju Xavier added that plans are underway to implement the initiative in all schools under the panchayat.