By Jordan Baker
Parents at an eastern suburbs primary school are angry after they were told to buy $500, 7th generation iPads for their nine-year-old children under the school's new Bring Your Own Device policy.
They say Rose Bay Public School did not give them a cheaper option, such as an older iPad or an Android device, and worry about making their children responsible for looking after an expensive tablet. "I can't tell you how many hats they lose," said one.
The Apple 7th generation iPad with its keyboard accessory. Credit: Bloomberg
Some don't want their children learning with iPads at all, saying other schools, such as nearby Reddam House, have moved away from tablets in junior school because they are too distracting.
The state's P&C Federation also questioned the policy, saying it was inappropriate for a public school to ask families to buy expensive iPads.
But the school said the move had the support of the local P&C, and students unable to buy the specified iPad would be able to use one owned by the school.
"No student will miss any learning opportunity if a family is unable to provide the recommended iPad," a spokesman from the NSW Department of Education said.
Rose Bay will introduce the new policy from next year, when students in year 4 are expected to bring a wireless, 7th generation iPad with 32GB storage. They can bring a 6th generation version if they already have one.
"Older devices including the iPad mini are NOT supported as functionality diminishes over time," a newsletter sent to parents said. The students could bring the devices to school, or keep them locked in a class cupboard, it said.
The new version was chosen because it was compatible with the stylus ($145) and smart keyboard ($245), although those accessories were not mandatory, the newsletter said. Students would use the iPad until year 6.
Almost half the school's staff were certified as "learning leaders" by Apple, the manufacturer of the iPad, the newsletter said.
But some parents were upset. "I would never choose to buy my child a $500 computer and expect them to be responsible for it," said one, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
"They want kids outside being kids; now they are giving them a computer."
Another worried about families that could not afford them while a third thought it was indulging the children. "They all want an iPhone or iPad. Now they not only get their own device, but an expensive iPad."
A spokesman for the P&C Federation argued it was inappropriate for a public school to expect families to buy expensive iPads. It said parents at Rose Bay Public gave $70,000 in voluntary contributions and nearly $145,000 in subject contributions last year.
"We would hope this would give the school a lot of scope for discretionary spending," he said.
The department's spokesman said the school's decision to recommend the iPad was made after consultation with the school community.
"From kindergarten, iPads are already used extensively at the school, producing excellent educational outcomes, and the choice of that device for year 4 students in 2020 ensures learning continuity," the spokesman said.