By Bob Katzen

The Education Committee held a hearing on several bills which would ban student use of cell phones during classes except when expressly directed by a teacher.

“An increasing number of countries, states and municipalities have banned mobile phones in schools,” said Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy) who filed one of the proposals. He noted that he filed the measure, to ensure that the commonwealth protects children in classrooms and optimizes the learning environment for students.”