Results for: Student Behavior

In a move to address concerns about student distraction and potential misuse, teachers in New Brunswick will be granted increased authority to limit cellphone use in classrooms starting in September. Under the new policy, students will be required to keep their phones on silent mode and store them in designated areas during class time. Teachers will have discretion to allow cellphone use for educational purposes or medical reasons, but students who use their devices to disrupt the learning environment, such as by cheating or bullying, may face disciplinary action. This policy aligns New Brunswick with several other provinces, including Quebec, British Columbia, and Ontario, that have implemented similar restrictions on cellphone use in schools.

Violence and poor behavior among students have escalated in recent years, according to teaching unions. The government reported a record number of school suspensions and permanent exclusions in England in 2023. A poll by the NASUWT union revealed that 89% of teachers observed an increase in violent and abusive behavior from students. Following a stabbing incident at Amman Valley School in Wales, union leaders emphasized the need for ensuring staff and student safety. The attack at a school in Gloucestershire last year and the tragic stabbing of a teacher in Leeds a decade ago highlight the ongoing issue of weapon possession and violence in educational settings.