File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today)

By Greg Kyllo, Shuswap MLA

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Cellphone ban needed in classrooms

Jan 11, 2024 | 10:30 AM

AS STUDENTS ACROSS THE PROVINCE settle back into the school routine following the winter break, parents want to ensure their kids are walking into the best learning environment possible. Unfortunately, that is not always the case in B.C. right now.

Classrooms remain overcrowded, leaving many students forced to wear winter coats to get from the portable classrooms to the main building for services such as washrooms and water fountains. This fall, students and teachers in Surrey even had to wear winter gear during class time as their portables had still not been hooked up to heating.

Parents’ concerns aren’t limited to school infrastructure, as we see worrying trends in student engagement and academic results. Literacy rates are declining, as are educational outcomes in English and math. Last month, B.C. received devasting results in the 2023 Program for International Student Assessment rankings (PISA), finishing behind Alberta in all educational categories, as well as finishing well below the national average in mathematics.

My BC United colleagues and I are increasingly hearing concerns from parents and teachers about the growing distraction of cell phone use in classrooms. A recent report from the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization found that excessive mobile phone use among students has been linked to reduced educational performance and negative impacts on children’s emotional stability.

Other jurisdictions around the world, including some here in Canada, have recognized these concerns raised by parents, teachers, and experts and have taken the lead by implementing cell phone bans in classrooms.

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The NDP’s reluctance to act at a time when B.C. is seeing a decrease in literacy rates is irresponsible and risks the educational and emotional well-being of students. We need action now so students can return to their studies not their screens.

While David Eby and the NDP once again fail to listen to the concerns of parents, BC United leader Kevin Falcon understands we shouldn’t be waiting for the problem to worsen before we address it. That’s why BC United is calling for a province-wide ban on non-instructional cellphone use in K-12 classrooms.

Students with learning disabilities who rely on devices such as smartphones or tablets for educational purposes will continue to have access and students would not be prevented from accessing their phones when not in class. These measures would help to ensure inclusivity and safety for students at school, while also limiting distractions during instructional hours.

In addition to helping improve classroom engagement and educational outcomes, a cellphone ban will help prevent cyberbullying and other negative consequences of excessive social media use during class time.

Setting up the next generation for success is one of the primary roles for any government, we have a responsibility to provide quality education and safe learning environments to help students thrive.

That’s why a Kevin Falcon-led BC United government will focus on improving student engagement by implementing a province-wide cell phone ban in schools, restoring transparency by bringing back letter grades and building the schools our province needs.

Students are the future of our province, it’s up to government to ensure they have the proper tools to succeed.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.