Cell phones in schools a tricky issue – SD57 board chair

Should students have cell phones in schools?

That has been a hot topic across the province lately – especially after BC United Party Leader Kevin Falcon promised to ban them from schools provincially, following Ontario and Quebec, if his party takes power.

For Craig Brennan, the chair of School District 57’s Board of Education, it is not a simple issue.

When speaking to My PG Now about the topic, he referred to two existing district policies – 6179, Acceptable Use of Networks, and 5131, District Code of Student Conduct.

Essentially, the codes say cell phone use comes down to the discretion of individual teachers and rules around phone use during school hours outside of class time are dictated by the school.

Brennan said those two policies are due for a review, and the topic could come up with the board and rules could be changed.

“We all agree the issue of students and cell phones is complex and multi-layered,” he said. “The reality is cell phones are powerful tools and are ubiquitous in society.”

“There is not a provincial wide policy… in many cases it is indeed a school and classroom decision.”

When asked if he would be on board with a provincial ruling on phones, Brennan said he would want there to be many consultations with staff, students, parents, and other involved parties before any decisions are made.

“In order for lasting and meaningful policy to really work, it takes time and collaboration for it to become effective,” he said. “One question I would ask is what about equity of access? Not all students even have cell phones. If you are banning, or saying they are pro or con, what about the kids that don’t even have cell phones?”

Brennan did not give a firm yes or no to a phone ban, but did say he wants any policy to “make sense and largely has buy-in from everyone involved in the issue.”

“It is timely, and I think it will continue to be.”