Ontario students beginning in November, will be limited in how they can use their phones. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Ronald Quaroni

Texting while teaching

Saskatchewan schools not looking at official broad ban on cellphones in class

Sep 3, 2019 | 11:56 AM

While there’s no cemented rules on cellphones in Saskatchewan classrooms, administrators are keeping an eye on Ontario counterparts as new rules are set to take effect this November.

The Ontario Ministry of Education’s new rules will limit cellphone use in classrooms to only educational, health, medical or special needs purposes.

Robert Bratvold the director of education for the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division said each school has the ability to create their own rules.

“I suppose the one overarching thing is, we have an expectation around the use of technology, related to ‘appropriate use,’” Bratvold to paNOW. “So cellphones, whether they are a school technology or (students) bringing their own device, you don’t do things that are illegal or inappropriate, etc.”

He explained a ban is not likely in the school division, but also outlined how cellphones can become roadblocks to the educational process when they are improperly used.

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“It’s the potential for constant distraction; having that buzz in your pocket, even the presence of it there can distract people’s attention from what they are presently doing,” Bratvold said.

He added cellphones can be a benefit to classrooms by giving students a tool of technology. Bratvold also credits students with being responsible enough to make the right decisions.

“I would also say there are lots of young people who get it, who understand and know when to disconnect from the cellphone and when to use it for useful purposes,” Bratvold said.

Provincially, the Ministry of Education has not rolled out an official rule set on device use in schools.

In an email response, the provincial government stated in Saskatchewan school divisions have the authority to implement and enforce policies related to student behaviour in classrooms, including cellphone use.

At this point, no consideration has been given to a provincial ban.

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni