NSW government to limit school screen time and mandate pen-and-paper learning

screen time limits NSW public schools digital device policy pen-and-paper learning PISA results

The New South Wales government has announced a new policy to limit classroom screen time and mandate traditional pen-and-paper learning in public schools. Announced by Education Minister Prue Car, the directive aims to address declining reading and writing standards following poor Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results.

The policy will be introduced next year and become mandatory in 2028. For younger students, screen time will be strictly capped: Kindergarten to Year 2 will be limited to 15 minutes per day, with limits increasing to 30 minutes for Years 3 and 4, and 45 minutes for Years 5 and 6. In secondary schools, digital device use will be restricted to 25% of subject time for Years 7 to 10, and up to 50% for senior students.

Additionally, the government will mandate at least one hour of daily pen-and-paper learning and recommend that digital devices be excluded from homework for students below Year 5. The move follows pressure from groups like the Heads Up Alliance and responds to research suggesting excessive screen use contributes to student distraction and declining academic performance.

Entities

Heads Up Alliance · Minns government · New South Wales · New South Wales Government · OECD · Pisa · Prue Car

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Kindergarten to year two students will face a 15-minute daily screen time cap. www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au · www.smh.com.au
[● 3 SOURCES] The policy follows PISA results showing nearly a quarter of NSW students are low performers in maths. www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au · www.smh.com.au
[● 3 SOURCES] The policy aims to limit the use of digital devices for homework. www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au · www.smh.com.au
[● 3 SOURCES] Students will be required to use pen and paper for at least one hour per day. www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au · www.smh.com.au
[● 3 SOURCES] NSW Education Minister Prue Car announced new policies to cap student screen time in schools. www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au · www.smh.com.au