The new regulation banning cell phone use in schools is causing discontent among Quebec students

Mélissa Gélinas

Minister of Education Bernard Drainville recently announced a ban on cell phone use in classrooms, outside, and on school grounds, starting next September. This regulation will apply to all Quebec schools, including public and private elementary and secondary schools.

For Drainville, this measure is intended to maximize civic mindedness among young people and reduce the rate of bullying.

Far from gaining unanimous support among young people, a student posted a video that went viral on TikTok, calling on Quebec students to go on strike on Friday, May 9. "Young people, we're going on strike!" says Youry Roy. "Starting next year, the Quebec government will require us to call our teachers, ladies and gentlemen, and make cell phones illegal in schools," he continued. "I don't know what you think, but I find it stupid. Mr. and Madam Government, we have much more serious problems than phones in schools."

Furthermore, several students in some Outaouais schools have expressed their dissatisfaction with the new regulation. Indeed, most students at the Érablière comprehensive school in Gatineau supported the strike. "I think that, in an emergency, it can still be very useful, and I don't think banning it would be the best choice," said a student at the school.

The Draveurs school service centre, for its part, confirmed that it had been informed of the TikTok video. "We hope that students will use the appropriate channels to express their opinions and would like to emphasize the importance of attending classes at the end of the school year," stated the Draveurs School Service Centre.

Minister Drainville clarified that there will be certain exceptions for cell phone use, particularly for students with special needs.