BY INDY MAEALASIA
AS the new academic year begins across the country, students attending various Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) schools have been urged to reflect on the distractions that hinder their ability to focus and learn.
Delivering his sermon during the ACOM schools’ commissioning service at Saint Barnabas Cathedral on Thursday, Father Wilfred Kekeka addressed the growing concern of technology’s impact on student attention spans.
“In today’s society, students’ concentration spans have been disturbed by technology, especially with mobile phones,” he said.
He pointed out that smartphones have made it easier for everyone, including students, to selectively focus their attention, engaging only with content that immediately interests them.
The habit of swiping away content that doesn’t capture their attention has led to significantly shorter attention spans.
“Because of this, students cannot concentrate in class,” he said
To address this issue, Father Kekeka urged education providers and school administrations to develop policies that help mitigate these distractions.
He also called on students to train their minds to maintain focus for longer periods, urging them to develop the discipline needed for sustained learning.
In addition to the technological distractions, Father Kekeka warned students against harmful substances such as betel nuts, smoking, and the use of Copen, stressing that these practices can taint the mind and body, making them “unclean.”
The service, which is a tradition held each year has brought together students from ACOM schools including Selwyn College, St Nicholas College, Bishop Norman Palmer, and St Stephen Pamua.
Parents, guardians, and teachers also attended to show their support for the students as they begin the academic year.
