WA news LIVE: WA to slash screen time in classrooms

Screen time across WA schools will be slashed under a new initiative by the state government, set to be announced this morning.

As Term 4 gets underway today, WA Premier Roger Cook will ban the unnecessary use of iPads and laptops for kindy to Year 2 classrooms to try and limit young children’s exposure to digital devices.

The ‘back to basics’ trial will be rolled out across 10 primary schools and children taking part will no longer be able to access iPads for activities such as tracing letters and solving maths problems.

For older students, the government is set to appoint a new advisory group to develop a digital learning and screen use plan for all public schools.

The move comes after Australia recorded its worst-ever reading and numeracy results in a recent international survey.

Victoria and New South Wales are due to introduce screen time restrictions for their younger student cohorts from next year.