Private schools in Quebec seeing positive results of cell phone ban: survey

A file image of a Quebec classroom. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

Quebec’s cell phone ban in schools is having a positive effect on the province’s private institutions, according to a survey taken by the Fédération du personnel de l’enseignement privé (FPEP-CSQ), which finds that 96 per cent of members consulted say they have seen a drastic change on school grounds.

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“It is clear that this ban, which was initially viewed with skepticism and concern by the staff of our private institutions, is now well received,” said FPEP-CSQ President Marie-Josée Dallaire. “Our consultation shows a strong trend in favour of maintaining the ban on cell phones in schools, which a larger survey would undoubtedly confirm.”

According to the union, 76 per cent of respondents strongly agree that there have been positive effects as a result of the ban, while 20 per cent say they partially agree.

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More specifically, 86 per cent of respondents say they have noticed better socialization among students, 77 per cent say it has improved classroom discipline, 72 per cent say they have noticed improved attention in class, and 31 per cent say they believe that students are more motivated.

Additionally, 84 per cent of respondents note that the cell phone ban has made their daily tasks easier, with 50 per cent strongly agreeing and 34 per cent somewhat agreeing.

The survey also shows that 92 per cent of respondents agree that the new regulation has been easy to implement, a breakdown of 58 per cent strongly agreeing and 34 per cent somewhat agreeing.

Similarly, 89 per cent of respondents say that enforcing the ban was easier than they had anticipated (64 per cent strongly agree and 25 per cent somewhat agree), and 93 per cent say they hope the regulation is maintained in its entirety (84 per cent strongly agree, nine per cent somewhat agree).

“Will these positive short-term effects continue in the medium and long term?” asked Dallaire. “We fully intend to verify this, as it is in the interest of staff and students.”

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The survey, completed in mid-October, was conducted among nearly 200 of the FPEP-CSQ’s teaching, professional and support staff members.

The FPEP-CSQ says it plans to distribute another survey in the spring and compare the findings to its fall report.