Same experience for me too!
In 12 years of Catholic school I never saw a bible read any where in school. We never read the bible in religion class.
The only time we were exposed to scripture were the several verses read at church. I assume our religion class books did have some verses, but anyone carrying a bible would have been looked at very oddly.
It’s oddly convenient that all the ex-Catholics have this same background where the Nun magically ‘snatched the bible away’.
I’m sorry, I just don’t believe that to be the case. I teach for a Catholic school. We have bibles available and I teach with them throughout. I’m looking at the history and there’s no evidence of any concerted movement let alone nuns removing books from the schools.
I’m sorry, I just don’t see evidence that supports your observations.