Clare to Propose Digital Detox for Australian Schools
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare will meet state counterparts next month to discuss reducing screen time in classrooms.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Federal Education Minister Jason Clare is set to discuss a national digital detox for schools with state ministers early next month. The proposal aims to address declining performance by potentially limiting screen use in favour of traditional learning tools.
Why it matters
The push for reduced screen time follows global concerns regarding student engagement and foundational skill development. Policymakers are weighing the benefits of analogue instruction against the necessity of digital literacy in modern education.
The 2025 PISA results indicated widespread declines in reading and maths across many high-income nations. Conversely, the OECD report suggests that moderate digital device use correlates with stronger science performance.
The players
Jason Clare
He is the Australian Federal Education Minister responsible for national education policy and intergovernmental school funding agreements.
The details
Minister Clare is reviewing international strategies, including Sweden's back to basics policy which has replaced screens with physical books since 2023. While nations like Estonia report strong results through integrated artificial intelligence, others like China continue to prioritise paper-based exams and handwriting to maintain academic standards.
Timeline
Sweden began replacing screens with books in classrooms since 2023.
The OECD published the 2025 PISA results report last month.
Federal and state ministers are scheduled to discuss a digital detox early next month.
Culture Shift
This move mirrors the Swedish government's decision to pivot away from digital-heavy curricula in favour of physical books. It highlights a broader international trend of reconsidering the role of technology in foundational education following the 2025 PISA results.
If adopted, this policy could lead to significant changes in daily classroom routines and the types of materials students use for study. Families may see a shift away from digital-only assignments as schools potentially reintroduce traditional textbooks and paper-based tasks.
The takeaway
The move suggests a significant pivot toward prioritising foundational skills through traditional methods like handwriting and reading physical books. Educators and parents can anticipate a continued debate over the right balance between necessary digital literacy and the cognitive benefits of analogue learning.
What happens next
Federal and state education ministers will meet early next month to deliberate on the proposed digital detox policy.
Further reading
For more on evolving classroom policies, visit the Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
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