School cellphone ban: Quebec students will adapt, says Drainville

A student looks at a cellphone in class. (pexels)

As Quebec students prepare for their first school year without their cellphones in hand, Education Minister Bernard Drainville says he has faith that the transition will go smoothly.

Starting this year, cellphones, headphones, tablets and all other personal mobile devices are banned during school hours throughout the province’s education system.

At a press conference on Tuesday at a school in L’Islet, in the Chaudière-Appalaches region, Drainville said he was confident that the measures would be accepted by students and staff.

“I understand very well that there are students (...) and school staff who are reluctant and would have done things differently,” he said. “There will be a transition period...but ultimately, honestly, I think that these measures will help create a more respectful climate in our schools.”

He adds, “I think that within a few weeks, the transition will be largely complete. Students have an exceptional ability to adapt. They understand very well why we are doing this.”

Drainville recounted a conversation he had with a Secondary 5 (Year 11) student who was happy with the measures, delighted that students would “learn to talk to each other.”

“They will discover a space for discussion, exchange, activities, conviviality, socialization and ultimately friendship, and they will not want to go back,” he said.

In addition to the ban on cellphones, Drainville is imposing the use of formal language in classrooms starting this year.

Students will have to address school staff using “Sir” and “Madame.”

“There are plenty of schools where this is already done, and there are others where it will indeed take some time. We have to give it time,” he concluded.

– This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 26, 2025.