Over three-quarters of Quebec teachers want cell phones banned in schools: survey

A Quebec union federation says that more than three-quarters of teachers in the province favour a total ban on cell phones in schools. (pexels)

A major union federation in Quebec says that over three quarters of teachers in the province wants cell phone-free zones in classes.

The FSE-CSQ (Fédération des syndicats de l’enseignement) said in a news release on Tuesday that 76 per cent of the around 7,000 teachers asked in a survey carried out in February felt cell phones should be banned throughout schools.

In addition, over nine in ten (93 per cent) of those who took the survey should there should be a minimum age required for accessing social media. Nearly half (48 per cent) said the minimum age should be 16, and a third (31 per cent) felt it should be 15.

The union federation said, in a news release, that screens are important as a teaching tool, but that they are also a distraction for many students.

“As we pointed out to the parliamentary commission this fall, the use of screens in the classroom offers undeniable advantages for teaching and learning,” said FSE-CSQ president Richard Bergevin. “Schools must certainly pass on digital skills in a balanced perspective, but misuse of these tools entails certain risks that must be minimized.”

The federation’s consultation with teachers is part of a plan that began in the spring and is aimed at improving teachers’ lives and workplaces.

“It’s clear that by keeping cell phones out of schools, teachers want to see greater student involvement in school life,” said Bergevin. “They also tell us that they no longer want to have to deal with the many distractions created by these devices.”

The federation will send its findings to the provincial commission on the impact of screens and social media on young people that began in June.

The commission’s final report is expected at the end of May.