It seems obvious that pupils probably shouldn’t use their MP3 players, games consoles and mobile phones when they’re in school. They’ll disrupt the concentration of others, and cause the teacher to have serious difficulties in conveying the point of the class upon on the children.

However, a certain school in Wales was rife with such distractions, causing the teacher in question to be sacked from his job due to professional incompetence.

Martin Reynish of Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive in Rhondda Cynon Taf was dismissed from his job at a hearing, due to his inability to control his pupils.

He has since been ordered to take further training within two years by the General Teaching Council of Wales. In the hearing it was revealed that pupils would spend their time listening to their MP3 players and playing on their handheld games consoles during his English lessons. Apparently one pupil even chatted on their mobile phone.

The hearing that saw Martin Reynish dismissed was one that is usually reserved for misconduct.

Mr Reynish apparently failed to control his pupils, or to motivate them between 2004 and 2006.

According to testimonies Mr Reynish was a competent teacher who was faced with a difficult class who wouldn’t respond to motivation. Obviously items such as mobile phones, games consoles and MP3 players should be taken into school with pupils.