The Ministry of Education has announced changes to the Provincial Code of Conduct which must be implemented by all Ontario school boards as of September 1st, 2024. The changes are outlined in Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 128 and include:

• Implementation of a strict anti-vaping policy in schools; installation of vape detectors; notification to parents; confiscation and disposition of any vapes in a student’s possession will be given up and disposed of.
• Restricting the use of personal mobile devices during instructional time so that students can focus on getting back to basics and learning foundational skills like reading, writing and math. Personal mobile device means any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate or to access the Internet, such as a cellphone, tablet, laptop, or smartwatch. Students who fail to comply with the policy will be required to surrender their cellphones to the teacher immediately.
  1. Students in kindergarten to Grade 6 will be required to keep personal mobile devices on silent and out of sight for the duration of the day; and
  2. Students in Grades 7 to 12 cannot use personal mobile devices during instructional time unless explicitly allowed by the educator; and
• School districts must remove access to social media platforms from all school networks and devices to help strengthen in-person relationships, communication and social-emotional skills.

Other highlights of the revised PPM include:

• Educators and staff are reminded not to utilize personal mobile devices for non-work-related purposes during class time.
• Report cards will now include comments on students’ distraction levels in class, providing valuable feedback to both students and parents.

The Ministry will establish a task force comprising education partners, parents, students, and health experts to assist in the implementation of these changes.

The OCDSB is in the process of assessing the new Ministry requirements against our current policies and procedures. The breadth of issues in PPM 128 will require amendments to OCDSB policies and procedures, including the following:

The school district invited input from educators, educational support workers, parents and guardians, students, and community members on implementation strategies for these new requirements. The new provincial requirements are outlined in this memorandum which includes the revised Provincial Code of Conduct. The feedback collected will inform our policy and procedure updates.