Nova Scotia bans cellphones for students in public schools

Nova Scotia is banning cellphone use during class time to keep students focused on learning and support teachers.

The province announced the new cellphone policy Thursday morning. It will start in September 2024 and requires students in public schools to turn off their smartphones and store them out of sight during school hours.

The policy also dictates older students in grades 7 to 12 may use their cellphones during lunch break, recess and between classes, but limited exceptions for education purposes will be determined by individual teachers.

The policy bans cellphone use from washrooms and change room facilities at any time.

“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.”

Provinces like British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec have instituted cellphone bans already.

Under the Education Act school principals can ask students to hand over their phone if in violation of the new rules.

Minister Druhan says the department of education and early childhood education has undertaken consultations with close to 800 school advisory councils as well as the Nova Scotia Teachers Union and health experts with the IWK children’s hospital and the calls were overwhelming for cellphone bans.

“There was broad consensus that the presence of personal cell phones in classrooms presents a significant distraction to learning,” said Druhan. “Responses overwhelmingly supported clear, consistent restrictions on cellphone use.”

Druhan says the goal is to ensure schools are safe for everyone while fostering a positive and productive environment.

“It is important that students have access to a learning environment that is free from unnecessary distraction where they can thrive,” said Druhan.

The new cellphone policy was announced at Clayton Park Junior High Thursday, where a cellphone ban has already been in place since September.

Principal Trina Canavan was enthusiastic about the provincewide policy and says the ban has helped change the culture at the school for teachers and students.

"Prior to this year they (students) would be walking in and getting to classrooms on their cellphones and not even talking to one another, and not talking to our staff either,” said Canavan. “Now we are getting ‘Good mornings.’"

The policy has allowed staff and students to develop stronger relationships, said Canavan. It’s also improved education in the classrooms and reduced incidents between students.

“It always stemmed from social media,” said Canavan. “When you really peeled back the layers as to why we got to a certain point…it started with the cellphone.”

Canavan said there was a lot of communication and education about the ban and expectations and the policy went over well with students and families.

“We had a lot of positive emails and phone calls prior to September from families thanking us for doing this,” said Canavan.

There will be plans in place to ensure parents or caregivers can get in touch with their children or students.

For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.