Arabic version: عودة اختبار الكتابة في نابلان للصف الخامس إلى الورقة والقلم

According to ABC News, Australia’s education ministers have agreed to return the Year 5 NAPLAN writing test to pen and paper from 2028, replacing the online computer-based assessment.

The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy assesses foundational knowledge among students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Year 3 writing is already completed using pen and paper. The change follows growing opposition to classroom technology and concerns about student outcomes.

New South Wales Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car said there was evidence that excessive screen time had harmed students and their results. She said children learn better when writing by hand than typing on a screen, and that changing the assessment could require more pen-and-paper classroom work.

Recent Programme for International Student Assessment results were Australia’s worst ever. The tests found Australian students used digital devices for an average of 2.6 hours a day, compared with the OECD average of 1.7 hours. NAPLAN results have also consistently shown that one third of students do not meet challenging but reasonable expectations in foundational literacy and numeracy.

Ms Car wants writing tests in Years 7 and 9 to move back to paper as well, though ministers have not yet made a decision. The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority will provide advice. Ministers have also agreed to begin work on a wider classroom “digital detox”, while New South Wales plans mandatory classroom screen-time limits from 2028, phased from preschool to Year 12.