Cellphone ban in effect: Is it really necessary or is it simply a distraction?

BY PAUL JUNOR

The banning of cellphones in Ontario schools came into effect on Monday, November 4^th. This provincial ban on the use of mobile devices became law after the province issued a directive for school boards in August 2019. The codes of conduct state, “Cellphones in class are only used: for educational purposes as directed by an educator, for health and medical purposes, and to support special education needs,” as reported in the Sunday, November 3^rd issue of the Toronto Star.

There has been much discussions and conversations in the media, among parents, guardians, educators and, education officials about the pros and cons of implementing such a ban. The decision to ban cellphones from classrooms is a result of a campaign promise made by the Conservatives before the 2015 provincial election. According to the Minister of Education Stephen Leece as quoted in the Toronto Star, “We campaigned on it, parents gave us a mandate in the consultation, and they wanted that done. We’ve given the right period of time for boards to get this up to speed and it sounds like there are ready to go on Monday.” Many school boards already have protocol in place to deal with personal electronic devices; parents, you can find the protocol by looking at your student’s agenda.

The Minister further asserts, “The aim and the objective of the ban is a greater focus in the classroom for students that increasingly face distractions.” The teachers unions have predictably responded to cellphone restrictions by arguing that nothing will change as of Monday, November 3^rd. According to Harvey Bischof, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, “It isn’t a ban; it is a distraction from things that are occurring in the education system resulting from Ford’s cuts.” The PC-led government has already increased class size in high school from 22 to 28, and then down to 25 students which has resulted in: the loss of hundreds of teaching jobs across Ontario, cancelled programs and services, elimination of support staff positions, and a plan to institute four mandatory e-learning courses that students must complete before their graduation. Many feel that banning cellphones does nothing to solve issues related to cutbacks.

According to Liz Stuart, president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), the use of cellphones has been left up to the professional judgement of teachers who make decisions. “This was the practice before the government engaged in so called consultations on the issue, and it essentially remains the practice now. This is another example of the Ford government creating unnecessary noise and confusion around an issue,” (as reported in the Toronto Star). With an emphasis on digital fluency and literacy that is necessary to ensure that students become digital a cellphone ban or restriction will not preclude this.

According to Cathy Abraham, president of the Ontario Public School Board’s Association, it will be up to school boards how they make their decisions with respect to how individual teachers allow students to incorporate cellphones in their classrooms. Many educators are concerned how this ban will be enforced and what will be the consequences if students refuse to comply. At present, many teachers make that choice. It will be up to the school boards to show leadership on this issue by being explicit about potential consequences of non-enforcement. Mike Schreiner, Green Party leader stated pointedly “ The cellphone ban never made any sense to me. It is just one more thing to put on the backs of teachers.”