FREDERICTON, N.B. — Starting in September, New Brunswick is banning the use of cellphones in classrooms in most settings.
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has updated Policy 311 with an amendment meant to be "more stringent and clarify teachers' authority to oversee cellphone use."
Students will be required to silence their devices and place them in a designated area during class time, but those using a cellphone for medical reasons like diabetes self-management will be able to access their devices during class time.
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The use of cellphones for educational reasons will be allowed at the teacher's discretion.
Meanwhile, students may be disciplined if the use of cellphones disrupts the school's learning environment through behaviours such as cheating, plagiarism, bullying, harassment and recording or photographing of others without their consent.
“We have evidence that indicates we should limit cellphone use in classrooms,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Bill Hogan.
“The clarifications we are making will strengthen Policy 311 by reinforcing the ability of teachers to effectively oversee cellphone use in their classrooms and limit their use to teaching or medical purposes.”
The current policy is to be followed in the meantime.
The updates can be found here.
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