Restrictions for when Ontario students can use their cellphones in the classroom will come into effect two months after the start of the new school year.
The provincial government announced on Thursday that, as of November 4, students will not be allowed to use cellphones or other personal mobile devices during instructional time at school.
"When in class, students should be focused on their studies, not their social media," Minister of Education Stephen Lecce said in a statement. "That's why we are restricting cellphones and other personal mobile devices in the classroom, while making sure technology is available to help students achieve success in the digital economy and modern workforce."
An exception to the cellphone ban is being made for students who require their device for health and medical purposes, to support special education needs, or for educational purposes permitted by the teacher.
Parents, students, and teachers who participated in education reform consultations last fall were 97 per cent in favour of cellphones being restricted in some way, according to the provincial government.
The new guidelines are outlined on the ministry's website under the parents' guide to the provincial code of conduct.
