The Conservative party has pledged to stop screen-based exams and reduce coursework in schools in England if they return to power. The proposals aim to address concerns about excessive screen time and children's reliance on AI.
Shadow education secretary Laura Trott cited warnings from clinicians about the potential health damage from excessive screen time. The party also plans to develop new guidelines to ensure laptops and tablets are not the default in classrooms.
Under the plans, secondary pupils would have their screen time limited to a maximum of two hours a day. Primary schools would be required to use screens minimally, only when necessary for the curriculum, such as in computing lessons.
The Conservatives also stated they would repurpose £900m currently spent on EdTech to create a £250m fund for new textbooks. A Department for Education spokesperson noted that schools decide how to use their funding for educational technology.
The government is currently developing new screen-time guidance for children aged 5 to 18, which is expected to be published in the new year. A ban on smartphones in schools in England came into force in June.