IN her article "Why should pupils be allowed mobiles" (The Herald, October 4) Anne Johnstone opens her case for the affirmative by offering examples of disruption in the classroom.

I suspect these occasional distractions were summarily dealt with by means no longer available to the present-day, harassed classroom teacher. Nowadays it appears classrooms comprise a majority of pupils intent on mobile phone interactivity with scant interest in the subject being taught. Where have discipline and work ethic gone? Distraction is counter productive to any form of teaching, far less learning.

A possible solution? If self-regulation is ignored then exclusion should follow. Thereby normal service can be resumed for the benefit of genuinely dedicated pupils.

Allan C Steele,

22 Forres Avenue,

Giffnock.

WHY are pupils not told to leave their phones outside the classroom ("Abuse and social media causing school disorder", The Herald, October 3)? Is there a law that says they have a right to have phones on them at all times? If parental permission is required to temporarily deprive their children of phones then surely any decent parent would readily give that consent.

The stress levels experienced by teachers doing a very difficult job has reached unacceptable levels.

Elizabeth Inglis,

12 Bank Street,

Hillhead, Glasgow.