Manitoba government follows other provinces in restricting cellphone use in schools

The Manitoba government is following other provinces in restricting the use of cellphones in classrooms beginning this school year.

There is to be a ban for students in kindergarten to Grade 8, while those in high school will be restricted from using their devices during class time but are free to use them during breaks and lunch.

The province says exemptions are to be made for medical or accessibility reasons.

The bans are designed to reduce distractions and help students focus in class.

Some Manitoba school divisions already had their own bans in place.

Saskatchewan announced its decision last week to prohibit the use of the devices for the 2024-25 school year, following Alberta, B.C., Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia.