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N.S. banned cellphones in classrooms 2 years ago. Here's how it's going
Nearly two full school years since Nova Scotia implemented a policy prohibiting the use of cellphones in classrooms, high school student Ishaan Anandavaskaran says it's been beneficial for his learning.
"I feel like it reduces distractions 'cause cellphones are like super distracting, right? It's definitely a really good thing in my opinion," he said.
In September 2024, the provincial Department of Education mandated that all students turn off their personal devices and store them away during instructional time.
Two years into Nova Scotia's classroom cellphone ban, the education minister says it's cutting distraction.
The policy says exceptions can be made if junior high and high school teachers allow phone use for educational purposes, or if students need a device for learning accommodations.
Most other Canadian provinces have introduced similar measures in recent years.
Education Minister Brendan Maguire says the feedback he's received from educators has been positive.
"Kids are not distracted looking down at their phones, being on social media, being on the internet," he said in an interview. "They're paying attention and in a lot of cases, they're actually participating more in the classroom instead of being distracting. They're actually there and present in the moment."
Asked if students have generally been following the rules or if enforcement has been an issue, Maguire said they've had a "small percentage of reports of kids not listening."
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