Andorra Schools Start Year Without iPads After Pupil Accesses Porn

Andorra's schools started the academic year without iPads in first-grade classrooms as an external audit of around 380 devices and the Xènia network continues with Andorra Telecom. Education Minister Ladislau Baró said the tablets' future will be decided by late September: they will return only with reinforced security measures if auditors deem them safe, or face permanent removal otherwise.

The devices were withdrawn at the end of last term after a first-grade pupil accessed sexual content via a vulnerability in a protective app. Baró, who visited the Andorran School in Escaldes and María Moliner on Tuesday, stressed that their absence will not disrupt classes. Alternatives include traditional tools like books and pens, plus Chromebooks already in use for second-grade students. These stay at school for better oversight, unlike the iPads pupils could take home. "We cannot remove technology entirely from schools—the world won't allow it—but we can limit it," Baró said.

He positioned technology firmly as a supporting tool amid challenges from screens, mobiles and AI. Baró raised alarms over Andorra's declining PISA results, particularly in reading and maths, linking them to past technology overuse. Results from last year's PISA for Schools tests—covering all three Andorran secondary schools—are due in early 2027 and will gauge recent reforms, including extra weekly reading and writing hours in early years, teacher training, and tablet restrictions under the Andorran education improvement plan launched in 2024-2025.

Classroom heat remains a priority after complaints over high temperatures affecting pupils and staff in recent years. The department is developing a climate adaptation plan with centre-by-centre assessments to identify urgent structural fixes versus quick improvements like solar shades or mechanical ventilation. Some measures will roll out this term at key sites, though major overhauls await next year.

A new financial education programme debuts this year via workshops for fourth-year secondary and first-year bachillerat students, covering budgeting, saving, responsible spending, digital payments and informed choices.

Baró also noted a smooth school transport start, with the real-time bus app now stable, alongside plans for curriculum reviews and efficiency gains. Enrolment totalled 10,940 on Wednesday, down about 300 from last year's 11,240 figure. Spanish-system schools reached 3,161 and the British College expanded, offsetting drops in French-system (down 4.5% to 3,200) and Andorran numbers.