INNISFAIL - Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) will be working and consulting with administrators, school staff, parents and others in the coming weeks in preparation for new cellphone and social media bans in schools, starting in the fall, says Jason Drent, associate superintendent of learning services.
“It is a ministerial order so we do have obligations,” Drent told the Albertan. “We need to move forward with developing administrative procedures and/or policies to limit student access to cellphones and social media during instructional time.
“We are going to move forward with that and we have already started to consult with our administrators on the path moving forward. And we will be communicating with parents as well on what September will look like.”
Starting in September, new restrictions and enforcement procedures on cellphone and social media use will coming into effect for most K-12 schools in the province.
Exceptions will be made for students using mobile devices for health and medical needs, to support specialized learning needs, and for educational purposes.
The change is being made following consultations with parents and others, says Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education.
“Parents, teachers, students and our education partners were clear that the use of personal mobile devices and social media in the classroom was of concern,” he said.
“We’re taking a measured approach to protect students by restricting the use of personal mobile devices during instructional time to reduce distractions and bullying, maximize learning time and support student mental health.”
Asked if students spending too much time on cellphones is a problem in Chinook’s Edge, Drent said, “The government referenced the research that is really saying that it is impacting student engagement and I think we would agree with that, that we align with that.
“We welcome that (ban) to help focus in classrooms and have students focus on learning.”
It will be up to each school division to police the new bans.
“I’m confident that we can do that,” he said, noting the division also supports the exemptions where and when needed.
“We want to work with our principals, our parents and our teachers to make sure that the students have the technology that is required to support their learning.”
Alberta Education says school divisions can put further restrictions on cellphone and social media usage above and beyond the provincial restrictions.
Asked if CESD plans to put further restrictions in place, he said, “We will be consulting with administrators at the end of the school year and during the summer. I think we need to spend some time together to discuss that. And of course we will keep parents informed.”
The Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) has come out in support of the new provincial cellphone and social media restrictions.
“The ATA is pleased to see that the government’s direction reflects ATA policy in keeping students focused on their learning while balancing situations when technology can be used to meet medical and learning needs or outcomes,” said ATA president Jason Schilling.
School divisions must have new cellphone and social media policies in place by Jan. 1, 2025.
