Time Quotas vs. Teacher Trust: Rethinking Digital Policy in Primary Schools
Starting in 2027, Victorian public primary schools will limit digital device use in classrooms to 90 minutes per day for students in Years 3 to 6, with minimal screen time for those in Prep to Year 2. The reform, introduced by the Victorian Government, aims to reduce digital distractions, enhance classroom focus, and relieve families of the financial burden of providing personal devices for their children.
While this may seem like a pragmatic step toward balancing technology and learning, it raises critical questions about the quality of education, equity across school sectors, and the role of teacher professionalism in an increasingly digital world.