NAPLAN year 5 writing returns to pen and paper from 2028
Ministers agreed to move year 5 NAPLAN writing from computers to pen and paper starting in 2028.
Australia's education ministers have approved returning year 5 NAPLAN writing to pen and paper from 2028. Year 3 already uses pen and paper.
The decision responds to evidence that too much screen time harms student learning. NSW will also put classroom screen time limits in place from 2028.
These restrictions will phase in from preschool to year 12. Some experts and parent groups want years 7 and 9 writing tests to also switch back to pen, but ministers haven't decided yet.
Australian students currently score lower on international tests. They spend about 2.6 hours daily on digital devices, well above the OECD average of 1.7 hours.
- 2028
- Year 5 change takes effect
- 2.6 hours
- Australian daily device use
- 1.7 hours
- OECD average daily device use
- One third
- Students below literacy/numeracy
Why it mattersPen-based learning may improve literacy skills; Australia's declining test scores suggest current approaches need change.
AustraliaFrom 2028, NSW and other states will limit classroom screen time; year 5 NAPLAN shifts from digital to handwritten testing.
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