The Ontario government is introducing new measures to crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools as the province sees an "alarming rise" of vaping and cellphone distractions in classrooms.In an announcement Sunday,

The province will ban cellphones in elementary schools for the entire day, and during class time for middle and high school students, under new rules to start this September.

Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced on Sunday the province's plan to ban cell phones and vapes from classrooms, with enforcement starting in the fall. In addition, he announced $17.5 million in funding to bolster mental health supports to connect students and families with mental health services.

Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in school. The new rules will go into affect in the 2024-2025 school year. As of September, students in kindergarten to Grade 6 will be asked to keep their phones on silent and out of sight for the entire day,