The Government of Saskatchewan is falling into lockstep with other provinces in terms of banning cell phone use in schools.

They are taking significant steps to enhance “student focus and reduce distractions in classrooms”. Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, cell phones will be banned during class time across all K-12 schools in the province.

Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill announced the new policy, speaking on the detrimental impact of cell phones on students’ attention. “Technology has its place, but too often, cell phones are taking students’ attention away from what they should be learning. This new policy will allow students to be more engaged with their teachers and focused on learning the skills and knowledge they need to reach their potential,” Cockrill said in a release.

The cell phone ban will apply to all students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. However, teachers in Grades 9 to 12 will have the option to seek exemptions from school administration for specific instructional purposes where cell phone use is necessary. Additionally, provisions will be made for students who require ongoing use of mobile devices due to medical or specific learning needs.

Bernie Howe, Chair of the Prairie Spirit Board of Education, expressed support for the measure. “Limitations of cell phones in our schools will reduce the amount of distractions in our classrooms, which will allow our staff to focus on educating our students. It’s important to take steps like these that work to improve our students’ mental well-being and academic success,” Howe stated.

Student “Safety” Still a Concern

Safety remains a top priority, and each school division will maintain procedures to ensure communication with students and parents in case of emergencies. This comprehensive approach aims to balance the need for focus in the classroom with the importance of safety and accessibility.

With this announcement, Saskatchewan joins B.C., Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as provinces who have all announced they plan to stop students from using their cellphones during class time.

Wireless Hypocrisy

The move to ban cell phones in schools almost reads as hypocritical, and nonetheless interesting considering the level of backlash the Saskatchewan Party has received in recent months over cell phone use in the halls of the Saskatchewan Legislature. At one point Saskatchewan speaker Randy Weekes was forced to make public threatening messages he was receiving.

“I have as speaker received literally hundreds and hundreds of text messages from the government House leader [Jeremy Harrison], the deputy government House leader [Lori Carr], and occasionally from the minister of finance,” said Weekes during session in April.

Members of the public also expressing dismay over watching notable Sask. Party MLAs being inattentive during session, with many of them tethered to cell phones, playing games, watching Youtube videos and reading, with some calling for a cell phone ban in Saskatchewan legislature.

MLA’s were seen not paying attention and focusing on their phones during crucial debates over Bill 137 – the province’s controversial pronoun policy.

The opposition NDP asserting that some members of the Saskatchewan Party wore earbuds and spent the time watching Netflix, instead of engaging in discussions over a policy some consider to be more harmful to kids in schools than a cell phone.