(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

NESD on cellphone policy

NESD weighs in on future cellphone policy

Aug 13, 2024 | 4:00 PM

The North East School Division (NESD) is reacting to the provincial government’s new measures regarding cellphones in the classroom.

Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill announced last week that cellphones will not be permitted during class time in the province’s schools beginning this fall.

Teachers in Grades 9 through 12 can seek an exemption from administration to allow cellphone use by students during class if it has a specific educational purpose. There will also be exemptions for students that need mobile devices for “medical or specific learning needs.”

“Technology has its place, but too often, cellphones are taking students’ attention away from what they should be learning,” Cockrill said in an Aug. 7 news release. “This new policy will allow students to be more engaged with their teachers and focused on learning the skills and knowledge they need to reach their potential.”

NESD Director of Education Stacy Lair told northeastNOW the government’s measures didn’t come as a shock, as they had previously consulted with others about the issue.

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“We didn’t have a lot of surprise to know that (Cockrill) had a position and wanted schools to have a firm position on the matter,” explained Lair.

It’s not the first time a cellphone policy has been discussed in the division. They previously surveyed teachers and administration about cellphone use in classrooms.

Lair said their rationale for the policy prior to the minister’s message remains the same.

“It is to… improve students’ wellbeing by stopping the use of social media interactions during the school day, and then the second part of that would be to maximize time for learning, (and) reducing digital distractions related to those personal communication devices.”

Those devices could include both cellphones and smart watches.

Lair said their next step is to meet with a committee of principals and vice-principals that have volunteered to help form a firm draft policy that will then go to teachers, administrators, and School Community Councils (SCCs) across the division to get their thoughts.

“It definitely takes collective action here to handle policy change like this.”

The SCC input would let the NESD know how parents are feeling about the policy and how the division can best support students. Lair acknowledged that while there are negatives to having cellphones and other smart devices in classrooms, there are times when having technology can access things that are valid for their education. She added they need to find ways to ensure high school students are using that technology responsibly.

Lair said the division wants SCC feedback and they have a meeting in September, but some may still be harvesting during that time. She expects feedback to come in through the middle of October and the NESD board wants to make sure the policy is positive for students throughout the division.

“(The policy is) likely going to come in for November, or even December.”

The new NESD policy may not come fully into effect until the second semester, Lair said, as they want to make sure schools are properly prepared for the change.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK