Ten Western Australian public schools will trial less device-led teaching for pupils from kindergarten to Year 2, with funding for practical resources and face-to-face learning.
Western Australia will launch a classroom screen-time trial in 2027 that aims to shift primary pupils back towards more direct teaching, practical work and less reliance on laptops and tablets.
The state government says the “Back to Basics” programme will begin in Term 1, 2027, and will run in 10 public schools. Each participating school will receive $50,000 to buy materials that support face-to-face teaching and hands-on learning, rather than digital-first lessons. The move comes after Australia recorded its weakest reading and numeracy results on record, sharpening concern about how children are learning in their earliest school years.
Education Minister Sabine Winton said Western Australia wanted its own approach and argued that schools needed time to consider the role of devices more carefully. Premier Roger Cook said technology should not automatically be the default in classrooms, adding that schools should remain places where children talk, question and challenge one another.
The trial will target kindergarten to Year 2 students, the age group widely seen as most vulnerable to the effects of too much screen exposure. Hayley Christian of the Kids Research Institute said the early years are crucial for setting children up for later life, because that is when development accelerates and healthy habits take root. She said screen time can displace active play, which matters for physical development, social and emotional growth, and learning.
Schools will not be shut out from technology altogether. The government says digital devices will still be used where they are needed to meet curriculum requirements and to complete online NAPLAN testing, which is now routinely conducted on computers. Craigie Heights Primary School principal Leon Wilson said his school plans to apply for the trial, arguing that heavy screen use at home had not helped literacy and numeracy and that schools need better guidance when making decisions about device use.
Western Australia is not acting alone. New South Wales has introduced daily screen limits for younger pupils, while Victoria has ordered planned screen-free time in public secondary schools. The WA initiative also sits alongside health guidance from the state’s health authorities, which recommend limiting screen time for children and encouraging more active play.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
