Ontario has decided to follow Quebec’s lead by banning cell phones during school hours for high school Students and throughout the day in elementary schools.
“[Les enseignants] “Don’t want little Tommy or little Jane sitting on their cell phone while they’re trying to do class,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Monday, according to the “Toronto Star.”
His Minister of Education, Stephen Leece, announced the day before these new restrictions which will come into force at the start of the next school year. In addition to these bans, school boards will also have to cut off all access to social media sites from their Wi-Fi networks.
Students’ level of distraction during classes will also be closely monitored and noted in school report cards.
“Outside the classroom, they can do whatever they want. You can do whatever you want. But while you’re in class, you have to learn. Teachers want children to pay attention. It’s as simple as that. It’s not that hard. Don’t use the phones,” insisted Mr. Ford.
Since last January, Quebec students have not been allowed to use their phones in classrooms, but can do so outside.
On this subject, Minister of Education Bernard Drainville recently mentioned that Quebec is not yet ready to impose this ban on all schools.
