Hong Kong education authorities have contacted a school after its newly tightened rules and penalties on mobile phone use triggered an outcry among students.

Under the new measures, due to take effect in the coming weeks, Form Three and Four students at the boys’ school Kwun Tong Maryknoll College will be banned from using mobile phones on campus, with devices stored in lockers and accessible only during designated time slots.

The rules also stipulate that no other items may be kept in the lockers, and playing mobile games at the school entrance is prohibited.

“Violators will receive four demerits each time. The school will conduct regular inspections, if a phone is found on a student, it will be considered a violation and the phone will be confiscated,” it said.

Form Three and Four students were reportedly targeted because they accounted for more breaches related to mobile phone use on campus.

The school said the measures aim to “promote student self-discipline, reduce classroom distractions, and lower the risk of mobile phone loss and theft”.