“If it’s not for learning, it’s not to be in the classroom.”

With those words, Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced that, as of November 4th, personal mobile devices will not be allowed in classrooms during instructional time.

The reason it’s not in effect for the start of the school year next week is to give boards time to implement the restriction.

Some schools have such policies but the direct sets an across the province standard.

”No longer will social media, Instagram checks, Twitter reviews be part of the daily experience of a student when it comes to instruction,” added Lecce.

Exceptions will be made if cellphones are needed for health and medical reasons to support special ed needs, or for educational purposes as determined by the teacher.

The province says it found during consultation last fall that 97% of parents, students and teachers said cellphone use should be restricted.