MÉLISSA GÉLINAS
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
QUEBEC – Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville announced on May 1 that cellphones will be banned in all elementary and secondary schools across the province starting in September. Schools in the Pontiac will also need to adapt and implement the necessary measures.
According to Drainville, the goal is to promote respect and civility in schools and to provide students with a safe, healthy environment. The new policy complements the Violence and Bullying Prevention Plan introduced in October 2023.
This latest measure builds on an earlier regulation that took effect January 1, 2024, which banned cellphones during class time, with exceptions for health needs, disabilities, or educational use. The upcoming change will expand the ban to cover the entire school day, including breaks and all areas on school property.
“The concept isn’t new to schools in the Pontiac,” said George Singfield, Director General of the Western Québec School Board. “Many of our schools had already implemented cellphone bans in classrooms as of last December.” He believes the new regulation may help students facing bullying.
So far, however, no official directive has been received. “We need more information,” Singfield noted. “Right now, all we’ve seen is media coverage, and we still have many unanswered questions. There should be a transition period.”
One major challenge, he added, will be enforcing the ban across the entire school property. “Some students will go outside and access their phones,” he explained. Dialogue with parents will be important to ensure they understand the purpose of the regulation.
Despite the hurdles, the response from school leaders has been positive. “Some students even said it’s a good idea because it will give them a break,” he added.
Singfield expressed pride in the way school principals have taken the news. “We’ll do our best—even if it’s difficult—to teach students the benefits of this regulation.”
Pontiac High School and Dr. Wilbert Keon School did not respond to the Journal’s request for comment by press time. École secondaire Sieur-de-Coulonge declined to comment on the matter.