A new NLSchools Responsible Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices Policy will come into effect when students return from holiday break on January 6, 2025. The policy aims to reduce the impact of inappropriate personal electronic device usage, such as cell phones, on learning.
Under the policy:
- Students in grades K-6 are encouraged not to bring personal electronic devices to school and will not have access to devices during school hours.
- Students in Grade 7 to Level 4 who bring a personal electronic device to school must switch it off and store out of sight during instructional hours. Students can access their devices during recess and lunch breaks.
Individual exemptions to the policy may be provided for medical and educational reasons.
Consultation on the proposed policy received robust engagement and feedback from over 13,000 participants, of which over 40 per cent were students, as well as the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association and other key educational partners.
The policy is available on the NLSchools website here. To support fulsome understanding of the policy, a frequently asked questions document for students and parents/guardians is also available on the NLSchools website and is linked below.
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"We have heard loud and clear that personal electronic devices are impacting students' learning environment, and that action is needed to help students focus in the classroom. I thank the thousands of teachers, students, and parents and guardians who shared their feedback and helped us finalize this policy. This valuable input showed how important this policy is to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and our government is proud to bring in this directive to help create more positive teaching and learning environments in schools."
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education
Learn more
For more information
Prince Phillip Drive
St. John's Newfoundland
Canada A1B 4J6
www.gov.nl.ca
