The Toronto District School Board has voted to allow students to use cellphones and other gadgets in schools, ending a ban on personal electronic devices.
It also announced a deal early Thursday morning to install solar panels on hundreds of schools in an attempt to save money on roof repairs.
The ban on cellphones was first implemented in 2007. With the change in policy, the board said individual teachers will have final say on permitting cellphone use in their classrooms starting in September.
Students will also be allowed to use their phones, PDAs and other tech gadgets outside classrooms as long as they don't distract from school activities.
Several board members argued that the devices can be used effectively for learning, while student trustees said the ban was unrealistic because technology is a major part of a student's life.
School roofs to provide green energy
Meanwhile, the board said the deal to install solar panels on school rooftops will come at no cost to the TDSB.
AMP Solar Limited will install the panels on the roofs of up to 450 schools no cost to the board, officials said on Thursday.
The board said the agreement will help alleviate costs associated with much-needed maintenance at facilities that need to have their roofs repaired or replaced.
"This is great because now we get the roofs all done," said TDSB Chair Chris Bolton.
The electricity harnessed by the panels will be sold to the Ontario Power Authority, with revenue to be shared between AMP and the TDSB, officials said.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Zuraidah Alman and The Canadian Press
