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By Kenneth Cheung

NEW SCHOOL YEAR NEW RULES

Battlefords students share thoughts on cellphone bans in school

Sep 5, 2024 | 4:59 PM

A new provincial law, that restricts cell phone use in the classroom, is getting mixed reviews from high school students in the Battlefords area.

The measures were introduced in Saskatchewan for the 2024-2025 school year to reduce distractions and build an encouraging learning atmosphere. Karis Blyan, a Grade 10 student at John Paul II Collegiate (JP), told battlefordsNOW the ban does not inconvenience her, but she believes there is room to improve.

“When I finish my work, I want to go on my phone,” Blyan said. “To change it, I would let us use the phone after we did our work (in class).”

She then further stated that if students are caught using their phones in class times, the teachers will confiscate them and send them to the office.

Cell phones are not allowed in class for students from elementary school to Grade 12. However, high school students can still use it if the situation allows it. In Grades 9 to 12, teachers will be able to seek an exemption from administration to allow cell phone use by students during class when needed for a specific instructional purpose.

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Kayden Kardynal, a Grade 10 student at JP, also agrees that the bans have not made a big difference, as phones were never really welcomed in classes. However, as other digital devices are also not allowed, he said he would need to make some adjustments.

“I did enjoy playing some music with my headphones on while I work, so it’s something to get used to,” Kardynal said, “It’s not that bad.”

Some think it is all right, but other students who spoke to battlefordsNOW had other feelings. Marcus Bala, a local Grade 8 student at JP, said, “looking at everyone, no one really likes it. You can tell everyone has gotten off their phones recently, but you can tell everyone got annoyed.”

Bala further noted that even if the bans are not liked by everyone, they do help minimize the chance of classmates using their phones to disturb others or engaging in inappropriate activities during class times.

“I would say it’s working as there is less bullying going on around.”

According to Living Sky School Division No.202 (LSKYSD), they implemented a similar cellphone policy in 2015, covering every student to protect their privacy and avoid inappropriate usage. So, this new policy would make a slight difference to them and the students.

Kelsie Valliere, LSSD’s public relations and advancement specialist, explained prior to the government announcement, the procedure stated students had to keep cellphones and other electronic devices turned off during class unless the principal allowed them for specific reasons.

“Now it is just more strongly recommended that students don’t bring the devices to school at all, that they are not allowed to even be in the classroom,” Valliere said.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com