Online NAPLAN writing tests scrapped for Year 5 students, with pen and paper exams returning from 2028
The Nightly understands the decision was made during a meeting on Monday.
Online NAPLAN writing tests for Year 5 students will be scrapped from 2028 and swapped out for traditional pen and paper exams following a meeting between education ministers.
The Nightly understands the decision was made during a meeting on Monday which saw the nation’s ministers for education discuss a push to wind back screen time for Australia’s youngest learners.
The Year 5 NAPLAN writing tests will go back to pen and paper while ministers seek further advice on moving Year 7 and Year 9 writing tests offline.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The decision to scrap pen and paper was made in 2018 before it rolled out across all writing tests, excluding Year 3s.
After Australia recorded its worst-ever Program for International Student Assessment performance in reading and numeracy, Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said the results pointed to a clear need to wind back screen time in schools.
WA Labor announced they would ban “unnecessary” use of iPads or laptops for children from Kindergarten to Year 2 under a “back to basics” trial in 10 primary schools.
During the six-month pilot which starts next year, pencil-and-paper and real books will take priority over screens.
Students will be allowed to use tablets or computers only when the curriculum requires them to grasp specific digital skills.
For example, Year 2 students need to learn how to log in to their school account on a device by themselves to prepare for NAPLAN testing in Year 3. Children taking part in the trial will no longer be able to access iPads for activities such as tracing letters, reading ebooks or solving online maths problems.
NSW has already moved to impose limits on the amount of screen time allowed for all year levels in a bid to curb excessive use of devices, improve attention spans and ultimately lift results.
The WA Government is set to appoint a new advisory group to develop a digital learning and screen use plan for all public schools.
