It is hard to say exactly how the new province-wide cellphone ban in schools will affect classrooms in Kelowna.

According to Susan Bauhart, executive director of the Central Okanagan Teachers' Association, that is because the new government policy is not standardized.

On August 27, Meaning students are not permitted to use their phones from the time they arrive on school grounds until they exit the school grounds, unless medically necessary, when they return to class on Sept. 3.  

"The bottom line is that the phones are not going to be out in the classrooms, they are not going to be out in the hallways, they are not going to be out in the school yards," said Eby. 

Yet, he added that it will be up to teachers to handle the logistics of the ban, as long as they meet its objective.

Central Okanagan Teachers Association

While a bell to bell ban is easy to remember, it is not specific. Bauhart said the policy leaves room for interpretation by individual school districts, schools and teachers.

"I really hoped it would be a standardized ban, but it's not," said Bauhart.

Over the coming weeks, teachers will be meeting with administrators to learn and discuss what the ban will look like in each specific learning environment. 

"I'm not sure all teachers know about the change," said Bauhart.

Families should expect emails from their children's schools about the new policy over the coming days. 

According to Premier Eby, the restrictions aim to create a distraction-free learning environment both inside and outside of classrooms during school hours. The ban was prompted by a body of research regarding the harmful effects of cellphones on socialization, literacy and mental health by way of material accessible online. 

Bauhart said that some schools in the Central Okanagan already have the policy in place and have found great success. 

Other schools will have to make some changes regarding cellphone policies, student monitoring during non-instructional time and parent-student communication.

"It is going to be a tough battle for some middle schools," said Bauhart. She noted that those employed as teachers on call, substitute teachers, and new instructors will be at a disadvantage if individual classrooms implement different policies. 

Starting this fall, some schools may instruct parents to call the office if they want to get in touch with their child. While some students will be asked to hand in their smartphone at the start of each day and others will be asked not to use the phone while on school property and during school hours. 

The logistics of the ban will be decided by individual districts, schools, principals, administrators and teachers, stated Bauhart.

Central Okanagan Public School Superintendent

"We have had restrictions in place for a number of years, elementary and middle in particular and in classrooms at secondary," said School District 23 Superintendent Kevin Kaardal. He said that teachers have largely been able to enforce these restrictions. 

Kaardal added the new provincial restrictions won't make much of a difference locally. 

"What this (cellphone restrictions) has done with the premier's direction and then through the minister of education and childcare, is it asked us to create a consistent code of conduct," Kaardal explained. "There's a code of conduct for elementary, a code of conduct in every school for middle schools and secondary schools and they all have very clear, direct direction about cellphones."

There are exceptions to the rule, such as students needing the device for medical reasons.

Kaardal added that students can use internet-connected devices if directed by teachers for learning purposes. 

B.C.'s decision to ban cellphones is part and parcel of a larger digital agenda designed to curb the harmful effects of social media. 

Back-to-school rules 

This isn't the only change coming to schools. The new school year will also see the implementation of buffer zones around school buildings.

Legislation tabled this spring gives police the power to arrest or issue tickets to anyone found impeding access, disrupting or interfering with educational activities or attempting to intimidate individuals within 20 metres of school property. 

The zones will be in effect on school days from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. and during extracurricular school activities at all public and independent schools with limited exceptions.

These zones respond to concerns about a recent run of protests around schools against Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 123 programming. Eby Tuesday cited 20 such protests during his remarks. "We need to make sure our schools are safe places to learn for kids," Eby said in criticizing the Conservative Party of B.C. under John Rustad for opposing the legislation. 

Editor's Note: This story has been edited to include updated interviews and information