Starting in September, students at Central Middle School will no longer be allowed to bring their cell phones or internet-connected devices to school.
Principal Topher Macintosh tells CTV Vancouver Island the ban is necessary as cell phones have become an impediment to learning, and efforts to control their use has failed.
“We just found that it took away from the sense of community in the building and that kids were trying really hard to get on their phones for non-educational reasons.”
The ban is unprecedented in the Greater Victoria School District -- and while many parents are in favour of the ban, some are not.
Macintosh says if there are special circumstances, those parents and students will be accommodated.