WA primary schools trial 'Back to Basics' approach with reduced screen time

Western Australian primary school students will spend less time staring at screens in the classroom as part of a new trial aimed at limiting "unnecessary" screen time. The "Back to Basics" program, set to roll out in Term 1, 2027, will be piloted in 10 public schools across the state.

The program aims to restore face-to-face teaching and hands-on learning, instead of relying on digital devices like laptops or iPads. Each participating school will receive $50,000 in funding for the purchase of materials.

WA Premier Roger Cook said technology in the classroom needed to be "carefully considered".

"A classroom should be a place where kids are talking to each other, challenging each other, asking questions," he said.

State Education Minister Sabine Winton said the trial was an opportunity to "pause for a little while and fully contemplate the impacts and opportunities that screens play in our schools".

"It's timely that we actually pause for a little while and fully contemplate the impacts and opportunities that screens play in our schools," she said.

The six-month program will target students in Kindergarten to Year 2, with screen time limits being trialled in classes. However, students will still have access to digital devices to learn skills needed to meet technology curriculum standards and participate in NAPLAN testing.

Professor Hayley Christian from the Kids Research Institute said younger students felt the biggest impacts from too much screen time.

"The early years are so critical for setting them up for later life, it's where all that development happens, where their healthy behaviours are established," she said.

"[Screen time] replaces things like active play which is so important for a child's physical development, social emotional development and of course their learning and cognitive development," she added.

Craigie Heights Primary School principal Leon Wilson said his school would be applying to participate in the trial, citing concerns about the prevalence of screens in the home and their impact on literacy and numeracy development.

"The prevalence of screens in the home and the hours that developing brains are accessing screens hasn't supported literacy and numeracy development," he said.

"And being able to have the right things in schools to support [students] without having the screens is a good thing," he added.