Government Reminding Families About Use of Personal Electronic Devices in Schools

With the new school year fast approaching, the Department of Education is reminding families about the use of electronic devices during instructional time.

Minister of Education Krista Lynn Howell is encouraging parents, guardians and families to have thoughtful discussions with their children and teenagers about the use of cell phones in schools.

Students in the kindergarten to grade six system are not permitted to use their cell phones in classrooms except in circumstances where their use is required to support the documented learning needs of individual students.

Individual schools have their own acceptable use of technology procedures, which may set out further measures to address the appropriate use of personal electronic devices.

The Department of Education is drafting a new personal electronic device policy to support students and teachers which will consider increasing restrictions on the use of personal electronic devices, including the use of cell phones in schools. In September, school communities will be consulted on the draft policy.