Statement from Minister of Education Lisa Thompson
“Ontario’s students need to be able to focus on their learning – not their cellphones.
“Last fall, we launched the largest-ever consultation on education in the history of Ontario. During this consultation we heard that 97% of respondents support some form of a ban on cellphones.
“Our Government will be introducing a ban on cellphones in the classroom. Beginning next school year, cellphones will no longer be allowed in the classroom unless they are required for educational purposes, health and medical purposes, or to support special needs.
“By banning cellphone use that distracts from learning, we are helping students to focus on acquiring the foundational skills they need like reading, writing and math.
“We will be making a formal announcement in the near future.”
It’s about time!!! School time is for learning, not texting friends. One teacher did an experiment. For every text received the student had to mark it on a chart. In one class over 1,100 texts were received. They can text/talk to their friends between classes, at lunch or after school. Phones can be for learning, but in most cases they aren’t used for learning.
Banning cell phones in the classroom is long overdo. Those cursed items are part of the dumbing down of society. It is a good thing that I have what I call an antique and only depend on the net and the old plug in phone besides my old flip phone Motorola for emergency and things like that. I make no messages nor calls unless absolutely necessary and usually give it to hubby to call overseas.