Alberta is moving to ban cellphones in kindergarten to Grade 12 classrooms starting in the fall.

Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said Monday that cellphones help with learning but can also be a distraction and lead to cyberbullying.

He said there will be exceptions for students who use phones for health needs, such as monitoring blood sugar levels.

Otherwise, personal devices must be turned off and stored out of sight during class time. School internet networks will also have to limit access to social media, Nicolaides said.

Alberta had allowed school boards to set a patchwork of cellphone rules amid mounting concern from teachers and parents that the devices were disrupting learning.

香蕉视频直播淭he risks to students香蕉视频直播� mental well-being and academic success are real, and we must take steps now to combat these effects,香蕉视频直播� Nicolaides said.

Alberta follows the lead of Quebec, Ontario and B.C., where governments have announced or implemented cellphone restrictions in schools.

The Alberta government surveyed more than 68,000 parents, teachers, students and principals about cellphone use in schools. About 90 per cent said they were concerned, and it should be limited.

How the new rules are implemented and enforced will be up to school boards, Nicolaides said, but those policies will need to fall in line with provincial standards.

香蕉视频直播淧arents and guardians should stay tuned to their local school authority over the coming months for more details,香蕉视频直播� he said.

In May, members of the Alberta Teachers香蕉视频直播� Association voted in support of restricting smartphones in classrooms during instructional time.

The teachers香蕉视频直播� association, the College of Alberta School Superintendents and the Alberta School Councils香蕉视频直播� Association welcomed Monday香蕉视频直播檚 announcement.

香蕉视频直播淪tandards for mobile device use during instructional time, which acknowledge exceptions and school authority autonomy, will ensure a focus on learning,香蕉视频直播� Kerry Bodell, president of the Alberta School Councils香蕉视频直播� Association, said in a release.

Andrea Holowka, president of the College of Alberta School Superintendents, said, 香蕉视频直播渞especting the flexibility of school authorities to meet the unique learning needs of students within a regulatory framework is practical and greatly appreciated.香蕉视频直播�

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