Students buying into classroom cellphone ban, says teachers' union

It's only been a few weeks, but the P.E.I. Teachers' Federation says the province's new restrictions on student cellphones in schools are going well.

"The policy is off to a good start. We're cautiously optimistic," federation president Andy Doran told Island Morning host Laura Chapin.

Starting this school year, students in Grades K-6 must have their phones silenced and out of sight while they are at school unless they are given specific permission from a teacher. Older students may use their cellphones during breaks, but must abide by restrictions during class time.

The federation had its concerns about how the policy might be implemented, said Doran, but the right pieces have fallen into place.

"We knew it had to be a buy-in from all partners, and fortunately that has happened. The school boards have gotten behind it and of course the parents are the big one, they are definitely behind it," he said.

"Students are coming to school and they're willingly following the policy."

Ban at all schools an advantage

While the federation has not had direct communication with parents, Doran said teachers can tell what students are being told at home about school policies.

"If a teacher was to speak to a student let's say it was about not having their homework done you knew when they jumped out of their seat and said, 'Oh, can I do it at recess? Can I?' that somehow they were going to be held accountable at home.

"And that's the feeling that teachers are getting, that they must be accountable at home," he said.

Some schools had already restricted cellphonesin their classrooms previously, said Doran, but there are advantages to having a system-wide policy.

One teacher told him a story about a student who had constantly been on his phone. The teacher asked the student how he so quickly was able to resist the temptation of pulling out his phone.

"No one else is on their phone," the student said, according to Doran."Who am I going to talk to?"