Brief
WA Premier Roger Cook bans iPads for early primary students
The ban starts in Term 4 across ten pilot schools and will be expanded with a digital learning advisory group.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Western Australia announced a new policy to cut screen time in early primary classrooms. Premier Roger Cook said the state will ban the use of iPads and laptops for kindergartners to Year 2 students, effective from the start of Term 4 on 12 October 2026.
The "back to basics" trial will run in ten primary schools, removing devices from activities such as tracing letters and solving maths problems. For older pupils, the government will form an advisory group to develop a broader digital learning and screen‑use plan for all public schools.
The move follows Australia’s poorest reading and numeracy results in a recent international survey, and mirrors upcoming restrictions in Victoria and New South Wales.
Key facts
- WA will ban iPads and laptops for kindy to Year 2 classrooms starting Term 4 (smh.com.au)
- The trial will be implemented in ten primary schools (smh.com.au)
- An advisory group will be created to design a digital learning plan for all public schools (smh.com.au)
- The policy follows Australia’s worst reading and numeracy scores in an international survey (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “WA news LIVE: WA to slash screen time in classrooms”
