NSW School Screen-Time Limits: Why Workbooks Matter

By Pascal Press | September 18th, 2026 | Last Updated September 18th, 2026

The way students learn in NSW classrooms is set to change, with the state government announcing new limits on the use of individual digital devices in public schools.

According to The Guardian’s report, the limits will be introduced as recommendations in 2027 before becoming mandatory in NSW public schools from 2028. The changes will also encourage schools to provide at least one hour of pen-and-paper learning each day.

This is not about removing technology from education. Digital tools can expand access to information, provide immediate feedback and create engaging, personalised learning experiences. Digital literacy will also remain an important part of the curriculum.

Instead, the announcement highlights the value of balance and the continuing importance of reading, writing, problem-solving and practising away from a screen.

What are the proposed screen-time limits for NSW schools?

Under the announced policy, the use of individual devices such as laptops and tablets will be limited according to a student’s year level:

• Kindergarten to Year 2: up to 15 minutes per day
• Years 3 and 4: up to 30 minutes per day
• Years 5 and 6: up to 45 minutes per day
• Years 7 to 10: up to 25% of learning time in each subject
• Years 11 and 12: up to 50% of learning time

New homework guidelines will also recommend that schools do not set screen-based homework for students below Year 5. The government has said digital literacy will remain part of the curriculum, with the policy intended to reduce the cumulative impact of screen time rather than eliminate digital learning.

Why does pen-and-paper learning remain important?

Writing by hand gives students an opportunity to slow down, process information and actively work through what they are learning.

A physical workbook can help students focus on one question at a time without notifications, extra browser tabs or other online distractions. It also provides a clear record of their working, making it easier for students, parents and teachers to identify strengths, knowledge gaps and areas that need more practice.

Depending on the activity and learner, working on paper can support students as they:

• practise handwriting and written communication
• show each step in a mathematical calculation
• annotate passages and identify key information
• plan and structure extended responses
• revise independently without additional screen time
• build the concentration needed to complete longer tasks

These skills are valuable throughout Primary and Secondary school and become particularly important when students begin preparing for written assessments and examinations.

Print and digital learning can work together

The choice between print and digital learning does not need to be an either-or decision.

Online programs can be highly effective for interactive practice, demonstrations, research and immediate feedback. Printed resources offer a different learning experience, allowing students to write, annotate, calculate and revise away from a device.

Used together, the two formats can provide a more balanced routine. A student might watch an online explanation, complete a related exercise in a workbook and then use a digital quiz to check their understanding. Each format serves a purpose and reinforces learning in a different way.

The key is to use technology intentionally while continuing to give students regular opportunities to learn on paper.

How workbooks can support learning at school and home

As schools prepare for tighter limits on classroom screen use, high-quality printed materials will become even more useful for structured, curriculum-aligned practice.

A well-designed workbook provides more than a collection of questions. It gives students a clear learning sequence, explanations they can revisit, worked examples and space to apply new skills independently.

For parents, workbooks can also make home learning easier to manage. Rather than searching for activities online, families can follow an organised program matched to their child’s year level, subject and learning goals.

Students can work through a small number of pages at a time, check their answers and return to difficult topics when needed. This makes workbooks suitable for regular practice without creating the pressure of long study sessions.

Printed learning resources for Primary students

During the Primary years, students are building the literacy, numeracy, handwriting and problem-solving skills that support learning across every subject.

Pascal Press offers curriculum-aligned workbooks for Kindergarten to Year 6 across areas including:

• Maths
• English
• Science
• handwriting
• spelling
• homework
• NAPLAN-style preparation
• reading and comprehension

Ranges such as Targeting Maths, Targeting English, Targeting Handwriting, Targeting Homework and Excel Primary Skills provide structured activities that students can complete at school or at home.

For younger learners in particular, a physical workbook creates an opportunity to practise pencil control, form letters and numbers, and develop the habit of recording their thinking on paper.

Printed learning resources for Secondary students

In Secondary school, students must increasingly organise complex information, explain their reasoning and prepare extended written responses.

Pascal Press workbooks and study guides for Years 7 to 12 support subjects including Maths, English, Science and HSC courses. Resources such as Excel Essential Skills, Excel SmartStudy, Excel Success One HSC and Excel 60 Days to Band 6 help students revise content, practise exam-style questions and identify areas requiring further attention.

Printed study resources can be especially valuable when students need to:

• create handwritten summaries
• practise calculations and show their working
• annotate source material
• plan essays and extended responses
• complete questions under timed conditions
• reduce recreational and study screen time before bed

Building a balanced learning routine at home

Parents do not need to remove technology completely to create a healthier study routine. Small, practical changes can help children benefit from both digital and print learning.

Try setting aside a regular period for screen-free study, such as 15 to 20 minutes for a Primary student or one focused workbook session for a Secondary student. Choose a specific goal, remove unnecessary devices from the study area and encourage your child to mark or review their work afterwards.

Alternating between digital and printed activities can also help maintain interest while allowing students to practise a wider range of skills.

Helping students learn confidently in every format

The NSW announcement is a timely reminder that technology should support learning rather than automatically replace other effective methods.

Digital resources will continue to play an important role in education. At the same time, books and workbooks provide something equally valuable: focused, hands-on practice that students can see, revisit and build upon.

For more than 35 years, Pascal Press has supported Australian students with trusted educational workbooks, study guides and revision resources. Explore our Primary and Secondary school workbooks to help your child build skills, practise independently and learn confidently on and off screen.

👉Click here to explore our full range of workbooks at Pascal Press.

Pascal Press workbooks and study guides are available at major Australian retailers including Big W, Officeworks, and independent bookshops, as well as online at pascalpress.com.au.