A ban on smartphones in schools issued by Taliban authorities in southern Afghanistan came into force, students and teachers said on Wednesday, over concerns of "focus" and "Islamic law".
The directive by the provincial Education Department in Kandahar applies to students, teachers and administrative staff in schools and religious schools.
"This decision has been made to ensure educational discipline, focus", the statement said, adding that it was taken from a "sharia perspective" and that smartphones contribute to "the destruction of the future generation".
The policy, which has already taken effect in schools across the province, has divided opinion among teachers and students.
"We did not bring smartphones with us to school today", Saeed Ahmad, a 22-year-old teacher, said. "I think this is a good decision so that there is more focus on studies," he added.
