Pacific students are using technology more frequently for entertainment than for school-related activities, according to findings from the Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA) 2025 report.

The report examined how often students use information technology, including computers, for different activities, ranging from never or hardly ever to multiple times a day.

Playing games was the most frequently reported use among Year 4 students, with around two-thirds saying they used technology for gaming at least occasionally.

However, educational uses of technology were less common.

Around 51 percent of Year 4 students said they never or hardly ever used technology for homework, while 55 percent reported never or hardly ever using it to search for information online.

The findings prove insight into how students are engaging with technology both inside and outside of their learning.

The report’s contextual findings examine factors that may be associated with students’ learning experiences and achievement, alongside the main PILNA assessment results.

The findings highlight the different ways technology is being used by students and raise questions about how digital tools can be better integrated into learning.

The PILNA 2025 findings are intended to provide education systems with evidence that can help identify priorities and inform decisions aimed at improving student learning outcomes.

By: Prishanta Neha Sharma