NSW Premier Cancels BYOD Requirement for Public Primary Schools

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the state will scrap the "bring your own device" (BYOD) policy for public primary schools, meaning families will not be obliged to buy laptops or tablets for their children beginning in 2027. The announcement was made during a school visit with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Minns described the change as a measure to ease household budgets and reduce screen time for students. He argued that excessive use of digital devices can distract learners and that traditional tools such as books and paper remain effective for teaching basic literacy and numeracy skills.

Under the new approach, schools will rely more on printed materials, and the government will supply books to children attending kindergarten orientation at public schools from the following year. The policy shift reverses a 2013 initiative introduced by the former O'Farrell Liberal‑National government, which had encouraged BYOD use in schools.

The decision aligns with a broader national discussion on digital usage in education. Last week, Australian education ministers agreed to consider screen‑time limits and a "digital detox" in schools across the country, reflecting growing concern about the impact of technology on student wellbeing.