Winnipeg/CMEDIA: It was reportedly announced today by Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Nello Altomare that starting this September, the Manitoba government is banning the use of cellphones in the classroom starting this September as a way to minimize distractions in schools.
“We want young people to be able to focus in class so they can learn more and feel confident…studies show it can take up to 20 minutes for a child to refocus on what they were learning once distracted,” Altomare said.
Classroom teachers will be provided with the provincial guidelines with tools they need to keep students focused and ensure class time is spent on learning taking into account safety and medical concerns to minimize all risks.
Updated policies would be implemented by the Schools and school divisions as students head back to school in September to ensure consistency across the province, which include:
- banning cellphone use during school hours, including lunch and breaks, for students in kindergarten to Grade 8;
- banning cellphone use for students in grades 9 to 12 during class time, with cell phone use permitted during breaks and lunch; and
- clear direction for cellphone use in classrooms for school staff.
Exceptions to these guidelines regarding cell phone will include use for educational purposes in grades 9 to 12 when directed by classroom teachers as well as students with medical and diverse learning needs,
Establishment of the use of technology policies by school divisions tailored to local needs are required by the Public Schools Act, the minister noted.
