Australia scraps digital writing tests for Year 5 pupils

Australia is set to revert to using pen and paper for Year 5 students' writing tests in 2028, following mounting concerns over excessive screen time and its impact on children’s learning. This decision, approved by the country’s education ministers, will see the National Assessment Programme – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) writing test administered on paper instead of computers.

South Wales Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car cited growing evidence that excessive screen exposure negatively affects students and their academic performance. She emphasized that students perform better when writing by hand rather than typing on screens. The decision also includes plans to revert writing assessments for Years 7 and 9 back to paper.

Car suggested that the move would require more classroom time to be spent on pen and paper rather than digital devices. The move comes amid worries about declining academic performance among Australian pupils, with recent international assessments indicating challenges in literacy, numeracy, and students' use of digital devices.

NAPLAN results have consistently shown that about one-third of Australian students do not meet the expected levels in foundational literacy and numeracy. While the heads-up alliance welcomed the proposed changes, it called for more comprehensive reforms to address the decline in educational standards.