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Prince Edward Island's School Cellphone Ban: What Schools Need to Know in 2026
Yes. Since the 2024-25 school year, P.E.I. prohibits cellphones in classrooms during instructional time under Minister's Directive MD 24-06. Public Schools Branch rules keep K-6 phones off and stored all school day, while Grades 7-12 may use them at breaks.
Minister's Directive MD 24-06, on responsible use of communication and information technology, was updated in June 2024 and announced on 16 July 2024. It prohibits phones in classrooms during instructional time. Under Public Schools Branch rules, K-6 students keep devices off and out of sight all day. Exemptions cover special education and medical needs, and Grades 7-12 teachers can allow educational use.
Education Minister Natalie Jameson called phones an all-too-common distraction when announcing the directive. In January 2025 the province released draft screen time guidelines for schools, developed with UPEI professor Travis Saunders, for consultation. In June 2025 the P.E.I. Teachers' Federation said students were more engaged after a year. No change to the directive was found for 2026.
Under Public Schools Branch procedures, students in Grades 7-12 may use phones before and after school, at lunch and between classes. Students who do not comply must hand devices to staff, with progressive discipline. Taking photos or video of others without permission is banned. Parents reach students through the school office for urgent matters.
Whatever P.E.I.'s directive requires, lockable pouches let students keep their own phone, locked, from the first bell to the last, so the school does not collect, store or answer for devices. Before The Internet ships lockable pouches and unlocking bases from Toronto to schools across Canada, including in Prince Edward Island, and can print the school's crest on them. Schools buy them outright: one price, no subscription, lease or per-student annual licence. Send us your student numbers and any written quote you have, and we will beat it.
Frequently asked questions
Can Grade 7-12 students use phones between classes?
Yes. Public Schools Branch rules allow use before and after school, at lunch and between classes, but not during instruction.
Are there exemptions?
Yes, for documented medical needs, special education support, and educational activities approved by the teacher.
Can P.E.I. schools use phone pouches?
Yes. The directive requires phones to be put away during instruction and does not prescribe a storage method.
Related reading
School cellphone bans in Canada · Phone-free schools toolkit · Bell-to-bell school phone policy template
Written by the team at Before The Internet, a Toronto-based phone-free company that rents lockable phone pouches for events across North America and sells them to schools and venues worldwide, shipping purchases to any country.
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