Nova Scotia Buzz
This fall, a new rule limiting the use of cell phones and other personal devices in public schools across the province will help students stay focused and support teachers.
Starting in the 2024-25 school year, all students will have to turn off their personal devices and store them out of sight during class time. There are limited exceptions, like allowing junior high and high school teachers to use cell phones for instructional purposes.
Under the directive, elementary school students must keep their phones stored away for the entire school day. Older students may use their phones during lunch and other breaks, depending on individual school rules.
“Our priority is doing what is best for students, informed by what we hear directly from students, school staff, families, and communities,” said Becky Druhan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “We heard their concerns and, through this new directive, are ensuring students are concentrating on learning and building stronger interpersonal relationships without the distraction of cell phones.”
There will be processes in place to ensure parents and students can communicate if needed, including in emergencies. The directive will also be supported by curriculum resources that help students use technology safely and responsibly, along with resources for school staff and parents.
Throughout the spring, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development consulted with school advisory councils, ministerial advisory councils, the Public School Administrators Association of Nova Scotia, and the Nova Scotia Teachers Union. They also visited schools, spoke with principals and teachers, and consulted with IWK public health experts. The responses overwhelmingly supported clear, consistent restrictions on cell phone use.
Approximately 800 school advisory council members participated in a virtual town hall and overwhelmingly called for cell phone restrictions. Until now, individual schools set their own policies for student cell phone use.
For the 2023-24 school year, the Province purchased more than 10,000 new computers and other devices to support student learning.
Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia already have provincewide restrictions on cell phone use in schools, and New Brunswick plans to roll out similar restrictions in September.
