File photo (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

CELLPHONES IN SCHOOL

Kamloops educators hope new classroom cellphone rules strike the right balance

Jan 31, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — With the rise of technology and cellphones in virtually every student’s pocket, a new provincial policy will look to curb their use in classrooms next year.

“I think provincial consistency is not a bad thing,” said SD73 Superintendent Rhonda Nixon. “At least opening up the conversation to say what our 60 different school districts doing is probably productive and positive. We do (reviews) anyway, but doing it now is just fine with us.”

Nixon noted SD73 already has a number of policies in place to limit the use of phones for non-educational purposes. How those will fit into the new provincial policy will take shape through consultation.

“I think it’s about how we introduce procedures and changes to them that really matters. I don’t know if it’s a lot of fine print — it will depend how specific the order is and how it may change,” said Nixon.

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While the district will be reviewing their current policies and making any possible changes, the District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) hopes to see a nuanced approach to the complicated issue.

“We are at a place now where we need to learn how to socially, responsibly use our digital technology and a ban might not be the direction we need to go to help our kids move forward,” said DPAC Chair Bonnie McBride.

McBride was happy to see the announcement but understands some student rely on technology to succeed at school and shouldn’t be negatively impacted.

“The issue is nuanced and complex. It isn’t simple — we can’t just say, ‘No phones.’ They really do work for some kids — and it’s not just phones, it’s laptops, it’s tablets, it’s all sorts of things. It’s a starting point,” stated McBride.

Finding that line between eliminating the distraction but still utilizing the education benefits of technology will be the challenge for all parties involved.

“I think what’s really important is that they do that with supervision,” added Nixon. “They don’t just use technology, whether that be in elementary or secondary, without a purpose. The guidelines probably emphasize that — that we want to teach students how to use technology appropriately.”

Districts are required to have cellphone policies in place by the start of the new school year.