Central Coast Schools Abandon 1:1 Laptop Policy After Decade of Device Use

Central Coast schools have begun directing students to set laptops on the floor during key parts of lessons, marking a clear reversal from the heavy device reliance that took hold across the region after 2015.

Why the change arrives now

State education department reviews from 2023 onward highlighted rising concerns over attention spans and handwriting skills among primary students who had used tablets daily since kindergarten. Central Coast Council recovery plans after the 2020 administration period included fresh spending on teacher training that now supports these limits, rather than further digital expansion tied to Gosford CBD renewal grants.

Erina High School on the Central Coast Highway and Gosford Public School near Mann Street both adjusted timetables this term to include device-free blocks, following guidance issued to all NSW public schools in March 2025. These steps connect directly to earlier federal funding rounds that equipped nearly every Year 5 to 8 classroom with laptops by 2018.

Data behind the shift

NSW Department of Education figures released last month show that 82 percent of Central Coast primary schools reported daily screen time exceeding four hours per student in 2022 surveys, up from 45 percent in 2016. Average device replacement costs reached $1,200 per unit under the 2021-2024 contract cycle, prompting councils and parent groups to question ongoing outlays amid housing affordability pressures for families commuting to Sydney.

Parents can check updated device-use guidelines on the Central Coast Council website or contact their school principal before the next term starts in late July. The department will hold information sessions at Wyong and Tuggerah libraries on 22 July for families seeking practical ways to manage home screen habits alongside the classroom changes.