‘Doctors removed both eyes’: School skit on mobile use leaves students crying

RUDRAPUR: An awareness programme aimed at discouraging excessive mobile phone use left several students frightened and in tears at a private school in Khatima, prompting education officials to issue a notice to the institution.The incident took place at Montessori Indian Public School in Biriya Majhola village of Udham Singh Nagar district. A video of the programme, showing students distressed during a staged act depicting the effects of excessive screen use, has circulated widely on social media.The school organised the programme after parents and villagers raised concerns about children spending increasing amounts of time on mobile phones and other screens. Local social worker Kamal Singh said villagers had approached principal Hema Chufal, seeking measures to make students aware of the possible harmful effects of excessive phone use.Students dressed as doctors and patients enacted scenes depicting the alleged effects of prolonged screen time on eyesight and mental well-being. The portrayal took a disturbing turn when a child playing a patient claimed excessive mobile phone use had resulted in doctors removing both his eyes. His eyes were covered with bandages and red-coloured material was applied around them.The enactment frightened his classmates, with some screaming and crying after apparently believing their friend had actually been injured. The video shows the children visibly distressed before they took a pledge to reduce or stop excessive mobile phone use.Chufal said she had initially been apprehensive about the impact of the act but claimed parents later appreciated its message. “Initially, I was worried that the play might have a negative impact on the children. But when they returned home and asked their parents not to let them use mobile phones excessively, the parents were satisfied,” she said.Khatima block education officer Bhanu Pratap Kushwaha said the method was inappropriate. “The way the children were sensitised about excessive mobile phone use and screen time was not right. It created panic among them. A notice has been issued to the school in this regard,” he said.Khatima block education officer Bhanu Pratap Kushwaha said the method was inappropriate. “The way the children were sensitised about excessive mobile phone use and screen time was not right. It created panic among them. A notice has been issued to the school in this regard,” he said.Stay updated with the latest Dehradun news. Download the TOI App.