In a move aimed at reducing distractions in schools, the Manitoba government has announced a ban on cellphone use in classrooms starting this September. Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Nello Altomare made the announcement today, emphasizing the importance of keeping students focused on their studies.

“We want young people to be able to focus in class so they can learn more and feel confident. We know cellphones can be a real distraction for students – studies show it can take up to 20 minutes for a child to refocus on what they were learning once distracted,” Altomare said. “These provincial guidelines will give teachers the tools they need to keep students focused and ensure class time is spent on learning. Plus, we will take safety and medical concerns into account so all risks are minimized.”

Starting in September, schools and school divisions across Manitoba will implement updated policies to ensure consistency. The new guidelines 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 cellphone use permitted during breaks and lunch.
• Providing clear direction for cellphone use in classrooms for school staff.

The guidelines will also include exceptions to support students with medical and diverse learning needs, as well as allowing cellphone use for educational purposes in grades 9 to 12 when directed by classroom teachers.

Evan Janzen Roth, a senior years mathematics teacher and department head at Collège Sturgeon Heights Collegiate, shared his positive experience with similar restrictions implemented at his school last year. “Students were allowed to use cellphones on their breaks. I have noticed that with these restrictions in place, when students would finish work or assessments early, it has given them the opportunity to read more books or engage more with their peers and teachers. The restrictions have also increased students’ focus without the distraction of their phones. It has been really nice that the cellphone policy was school-wide so that everyone had the same expectations, and it was quite easy to implement because of that.”

Under the Public Schools Act, school divisions are required to establish use of technology policies tailored to local needs, the minister noted.

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