Quebec’s education minister is now considering banning cell phones everywhere in schools.
In 2024, phones were banned in classrooms with students only using them during recess and lunch. This school year, Westwood Junior School in St-Lazare took the ban even further.
Teacher Emilie Daoust-Crevier is relieved she no longer has to compete with the sound of phone notifications chiming during class or even in the hallways.
“Their focus is a lot better and then because they don’t have their cell phones at lunch hour, they’re more tempted to come back to see me at lunch hour to improve grades or to ask for feedback,” she told CTV News.
Anna Haller says the influence of phone time during recess and lunch hour wasn’t positive in the learning environment. So, a “bell to bell ban” was put in place for this school year.
“As a result, especially during recess and lunch, we’re seeing reduced conflicts. We’re seeing positive, happier students, healthier relationships. We’re seeing engaged students in the classroom focus on learning,” says Haller.
Haller says the governing board made sure parents were in agreement. Parent Caroline Dejordy says it’s a good move.
“They’re so used to having it, they feel probably a little bit of anxiety not having it. But I do think that it’s a benefit for them not to be so dependent on it all the time,” she said.
Grade 7 student Jacob Daly isn’t so sure. “I’m not attached to my phone. Honestly, I don’t think so. My parents say I am, but I’m not always on it,” he said.
Despite extracurricular activities being offered to keep students busy, Grade 8 student Won Kim says he occasionally sees bored kids get into trouble.
“It’s a big impact where most of the kids create more chaos because of them being unentertained,” said Kim, who adds that laptops can still be used to surf the web. “Most of the people during lunch times, they watch YouTube and do their own stuff.”
The school’s aim is to give students a better chance to focus on their assignments. Behaviour technician Rafael Tyrrel said he has seen an improvement.
“I would say that is getting better. The attention span towards the teacher, towards the lesson plan.”
In case of emergencies, the office phone is always available.
Apart from that landline, from 7:50 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. students and most staff are learning to live without that device in their pocket.
“It’s difficult to imagine spending a full eight hours without your phone. It becomes like an extra limb!” said Daoust-Crevier.
Principal Haller says it’s an adjustment that is worth the effort and thinks more schools should consider a bell-to-bell ban.
