Recently, many students have felt uncomfortable because the vice principal walks around the classrooms every morning. To understand both sides—the students' feelings and the school's goals—I interviewed the vice principal to find out the real reason for his daily morning visits.

Classroom environment in the morning
The morning classroom dilemma: With students engaged in various activities, it is often difficult to distinguish those using smartphones for academic purposes from those playing games.

1. "Making a Good Place to Study, Not Controlling Students"

When asked why he walks around every day, the vice principal clarified that his intention is rooted in the academic environment rather than surveillance.

"I am not trying to control students. I just want to make a quiet and good atmosphere for studying. I keep walking around to make sure students who want to study are not disturbed by others who play games or talk loudly at the front or back of the classroom."

2. Smartphone Advice: A 'Suggestion,' Not an 'Order'

A particular point of tension has been his frequent phrase, “Shouldn’t you refrain from using your phone?” Many students perceived this as a command, but the vice principal offered a different perspective.

He explained, "It is not a strict rule. It is just a friendly suggestion to use the morning time better." However, he also expressed a sense of regret regarding the difficulty of distinguishing student activities. He noted that it is often hard to tell the difference between students playing games and those using their phones for legitimate schoolwork, such as preparing for assignments.

"It is our own mindful behavior, not just the regulations, that truly protects everyone’s right to learn."

3. Respecting Each Other in the Classroom

Through this interview, I realized that the school's rules are not just about stopping us from doing what we want. They are often designed to protect the collective needs of the student body.

For instance, during lunch or study time, some students go to other classrooms and talk loudly, which frequently bothers those trying to study quietly. This situation forces us to think about whether our behavior is inadvertently hurting our friends' right to study. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with us to foster a culture of mutual respect within our shared learning spaces.