by Dan Laxer
The Suburban

The Suburban recently reported that there was mixed reaction to the Quebec government’s school cell phone ban, particularly among students. So much so that some are planning on staging a walkout tomorrow (Friday, May 9) to protest the ban, leading the English Montreal School Board to put out a message discouraging the action.

Word has been spreading about the strike via TikTok

“We would like to remind all students and families,” the message reads, “that students are expected to be in school during the regular hours.”

The board points out that schools are “in examination mode and disruptions to classroom teaching and exams will not be tolerated.”

The cellphone ban is based on the recommendations of a multi-party committee who recommended that, despite whatever policies individual schools have, starting in the next school year all elementary and high schools must enact a ban on cellphones and other electronic devices for the duration of the school day.

Education Minister Bernard Drainville, who officially enacted the ban after hearing the committee’s recommendations, has also discouraged the walkout. Speaking in the National Assembly, Drainville said that students can find several other ways to express themselves concerning the ban, “but missing school should not be one of them.” And he is asking parents to be on board with making sure kids stay in class.

The EMSB said in its message that “the safety and security of EMSB students and staff remains our priority at all times.”

That sentiment is echoed by the French side by the Centre de services scolaire de Montreal.

While some students are defiantly planning to strike, others are saying a strike goes too far.