Petition pushes back on Ontario high school telling students to keep backpack in lockers [Video]

In addition to Ontario’s new cellphone ban, there is confusion at one Mississauga, Ont. high school over whether backpacks are allowed in class.

Grade 12 student Vani Kumar started a petition to bring backpacks back after St. Francis Xavier Secondary School sent out a letter obtained by CTV News Toronto telling students, “Knapsacks/bags are to be kept in your locker upon arrival at school. Only learning materials I.E. binders, laptops, writing materials can be brought to class.”

“I would really like the school and board to consider what is best for students,” Kumar said on Monday.

Within four days, the petition has garnered more than 1,000 signatures. Kumar said the rule creates a disadvantage to female students needing the washroom and those using binders, paper and pens instead of tablets or laptops as they’re awkward to carry. She wants the policy rescinded or clarified.

“My biggest problem with this is they haven’t addressed why they are banning backpacks. We’ve come up …