Brandon schools adopt cellphone ban

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This article was published 28/08/2024 (587 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Brandon School Division is set to implement the provincewide ban on cellphone use in classrooms as students return to classes next week.

The Manitoba government announced on Aug. 15 that a ban on cellphone use in classrooms for kindergarten to Grade 12 students will start in September.

Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Nello Altomare said cellphone use is banned during school hours for students in kindergarten through Grade 8, while students in Grades 9-12 will be allowed to use their phones only during lunch and recess.

Exceptions will be made to students with medical and diverse learning needs, and for educational purposes in Grades 9-12 when directed by classroom teachers, he said.

BSD Supt. Mathew Gustafson told the Sun after the regular board meeting on Monday that the division is moving forward with plans to ensure a smooth transition from the existing administrative procedure.

Procedure No. 6080 states students are prohibited from using cellphones and other electronic devices within school buildings during instructional hours unless they have obtained prior permission from a teacher or the school administration.

“We will be working on amending the current administrative procedure to ensure it aligns with the ministerial direction,” Gustafson said.

The division will also focus on working with families to ensure they understand the changes resulting from the new cellphone policy, he added.

“This is as much as an education piece as it is a policy change. We will make sure that students and families understand the changes and positively work with them.”

Gustafson said the division has not received any questions or feedback from students or parents but expects to in early September, particularly as parents seek to understand how exceptions, such as those for medical reasons, will be handled.

Board chair Linda Ross said some challenges are expected, especially at the beginning of the implementation.

“It will be more difficult for some students than others,” she told the Sun in an interview. “I understand that there will be challenges, but students and staff will become accustomed to it. We’ve dealt with similar situations before, like when we implemented the no-hat policy, and while there was initial resistance, people eventually adapted.”

Mary Omole, whose sons attend New Era School, said one concern for her is the impact of the ban on communication between parents and students, particularly for younger children in kindergarten through Grade 8.

“I and some parents are worried about the inability to contact the children directly during school hours when we are trying to make pickup arrangements with them,” she said.

Gustafson said he was confident the division’s communication strategy, which has been in place for years, will continue to be effective.

“Parents can still reach their children through the school’s office in case of emergencies or important messages,” he said. “This process ensures clarity and prevents confusion, such as students leaving school without proper notice. It’s not a new phenomenon, but it does mean that communication may look different under the new policy.”

Anna Stokke, a mathematics professor at the University of Winnipeg, commended the provincial government for the new cellphone policy.

The policy is in line with research showing that smartphone use negatively impacts students’ learning and academic performance, she told the Sun in an email.

“This will result in fewer distractions for students and teachers and will create an environment more conducive to learning.”

Stokke said findings from recent Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results indicated that over 80 per cent of Canadian students reported distractions from digital devices in some of their math lessons, with more than 40 per cent experiencing these distractions in all their math lessons.

“Research has shown that smartphone use in young people is associated with decreased learning and higher levels of anxiety,” she said.

“Even being in class with other students on cellphones causes distractions and is associated with learning loss.”

The professor admitted technology plays a role in classrooms, as it can be used to supplement learning, but cautioned there is a “need to weigh the costs against the benefits.”

Stokke recommended supplementing learning with more traditional methods, “such as reading physical books or using software on computers that have restricted access to social media.”

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