A school in Perth is facing criticism over its decision to reduce the amount of free play for students to 15 minutes a day, prompting calls for an urgent review by the WA Education Department.
Clarkson Primary School abolished free play at recess for Years 1-6, replacing it with "instructional play" with class teachers taking students to playgrounds for coordinated sessions lasting 15 minutes focusing on "learning dispositions and playground rules".
While the school says students have become more focused on learning, criticisms say it violates students’ entitlement to play and jeopardizes children’s wellbeing.