Wi-Fi-Equipped Schools Pose ‘Potential Health and Safety Risk’: Teacher Union
Catholic school boards should shut off all wireless Internet in classrooms because the technology poses a “potential health and safety risk” to staff and students, claims the union representing 45,000 teachers in Ontario.
In an eight-page report released Monday by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, the group recommends that schools across the province stop the installation of new Wi-Fi networks, which presents a “hazard in the workplace.”
The review, which took 10 months to complete, also urged that computers be connected to the Internet only via hardwired connections to limit the “expanded use of wireless devices” in Catholic schools.
“We think there is enough evidence to bring concerns and raise the question,” said OECTA president Kevin O’Dwyer.
Health Canada maintains there is no evidence that low-level exposure to radiation from wireless Internet has any effect on health.
Nevertheless, the report urged the province’s 1,400 English Catholic schools to take a more precautionary approach with this relatively new technology.
“The safety of this technology has not thoroughly been researched and therefore the precautionary principle and prudent avoidance of exposure should be practised,” it said.
O’Dwyer says the group will take its concerns to individual school boards and the Ontario Labour and Education ministries.
“The information (out there) is questionable,” said O’Dwyer. “It’s not definitive. If that’s true — if there’s an alternative to avoid (possible health risks) that is cost effective, why not go there?”
But a number of Catholic school boards reached on Monday said the report has no factual merit.
“It’s a sexy topic right now to say Wi-Fi is hurting kids in schools but the research doesn’t back that statement,” said Tom D’Amico, superintendent of student success and learning technologies at the Ottawa Catholic School Board.
Wireless Internet has been available in all 81 of the board’s elementary, intermediate and high schools for the past three years.