- Ten public schools to take part in six-month “back to basics” pilot to ban unnecessary screen use for students in Kindergarten to Year 2
- Call out for WA public schools to be selected through expression of interest process
- New advisory group to help inform a state-wide strategy for the use of screens in classrooms across all year levels
The Cook Labor Government is launching a landmark pilot to ban unnecessary screen use for Western Australia’s youngest students, supporting positive early learning and development.
Ten public schools will take part in the six-month screen use pilot for Kindergarten to Year 2 students, trialling a “back to basics” approach to students’ use of digital devices – such as laptops and iPads – in the classroom.
The pilot recognises that while technology plays an important role in modern classrooms, we must not displace the face-to-face teaching and hands-on learning that are crucial for positive early childhood development.
As part of the pilot, students will use digital devices only where it is required to learn specific digital technologies skills under the curriculum, and to prepare Year 2 students for NAPLAN testing.
For example, the digital technologies curriculum requires Year 2 students to be able to independently access their school account with a recorded username and password, then log out.
Restrictions will apply to children’s individual and shared use of screens. They will not apply to classroom smartboards or interactive whiteboards, or technology that supports a student’s access to learning, such as for students with disability using assistive technology or those attending the School of Isolated and Distance Education or School of the Air.
Schools taking part in the innovative pilot will each receive $50,000 to invest in screen-free learning resources, including printed educational materials, workbooks and classroom equipment. It will also support professional learning to change classroom practices and participate in policy development.
WA public schools with students in Kindergarten to Year 2 are encouraged to register an expression of interest to take part in the pilot program from October 12. The pilot will commence on the first day of the 2027 school year.
The Cook Labor Government will also establish a new Digital Learning and Screen Use Advisory Group alongside the pilot to develop a sensible, evidence-based state-wide approach for screen use across all year levels for WA public schools.
This aligns with the Department of Education’s commitment under its new Strategic Plan to provide system-wide guidance regarding the safe and effective use of digital technologies, including the use of screens in the classroom.
The new advisory group will bring together key stakeholders from across education sectors, including education support and regional education representatives.
This initiative builds on the Cook Labor Government’s broader focus on giving children the best possible start in their early years, including the development of Australia’s first Government-led Play Strategy and the free full-time Kindergarten pilot.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
“My Government is committed to providing every Western Australian child the best foundation for a life of learning.
“We are taking considered steps to make sure screen use is age-appropriate and purposeful, because we know the best early learning environments prioritise face-to-face interaction.
“This is just one of several initiatives my Government has introduced to support early childhood development, with our successful free full-time Kindergarten pilot already underway at five schools, with a further five to start in Term 1 next year.”
As stated by Education Minister Sabine Winton:
“As a former teacher of 27 years and a mother of three daughters, I know how crucial it is to get the balance right between technology and screen-free learning.
“Technology has an important role to play in modern education. That’s why we must support teachers to use it where it is clearly needed for learning, while protecting time for the real-world experiences children need.
“This pilot program will enable participating schools to trial a ‘back to basics’ approach on screen use, to support children’s learning and development, wellbeing, and their ability to connect and collaborate with others.
“Schools taking part will be supported with funding, resources and practical implementation assistance so participating teachers have what they need to make screen-free learning work in their classrooms, while supporting broader policy development.
“We’re also bringing together expertise from across the education sector to develop a sensible and effective state-wide approach to screen use for Western Australian public schools.
“I encourage all schools with Kindergarten to Year 2 students to put their hands up to take part in this exciting pilot and look forward to seeing it progress.”
