With device poverty rising and schools dependent on reliable technology, school leaders are rethinking how young people access the tools they need to learn. However, with an abundance of digital devices flooding into classrooms, another issue arises: inconsistent specs, limited support, and unequal access – all of which are creating more headaches for Australian schools.
Indeed, this is a problem that persisted in Australian schools for the better part of a decade, but it’s now hitting the system in very real ways. Lessons stall when devices aren’t compatible. Classroom time disappears into troubleshooting. Families feel the pressure to buy “whatever they can”, not what the curriculum actually requires. And for principals determined to bring consistency into their school’s classrooms and lift student outcomes, the chaos is now becoming impossible to ignore.
To turn the tables, many schools are turning to Managed BYOD – a more consistent and equitable way to ensure every student has the tech they need. Recently, trusted education reseller Edunet and global technology company Lenovo teamed up to show how Managed BYOD can be a game-changing solution that can deliver consistent, equitable, and high-performing outcomes for Australian schools.
As general manager of Sales, Kristian Liddiard leads Edunet’s national growth strategy — building partnerships, empowering schools, and scaling the delivery of innovative, reliable, and sustainable technology solutions across Australia’s K–12 sector.
One issue that Liddiard has noticed throughout the course of his work with schools is that many students are bringing their own retail devices to the classroom, which often means clunky specs, patchy support, and unequal access. He says this quickly creates an “uneven” environment in the classroom.
“Some devices cope well, others struggle with basic tasks, and teachers end up trying to troubleshoot instead of teaching. IT teams wear the pressure too, supporting different brands, specs and operating systems with no clear pathway for repair or replacement,” Liddiard told The Educator.
“The result is lost learning time and a widening equity gap. Technology should open doors, not create barriers, and right now many students simply don’t have the right tools to participate fully.”
This is where Managed BYOD can help.
“Managed BYOD makes things fair,” Liddiard said. “Families know which devices work best for their school, repairs are easy to arrange, and costs are more predictable.”
Meanwhile, students benefit from reliable tools that support learning every day, so they can focus on the task, not the technology.
“Teachers feel the difference when everyone is on equal footing. Lessons run smoothly, collaboration is natural, and support is streamlined instead of scattered,” he said. “It is a practical way to lift equity and create classrooms where every student has the same chance to succeed.”
Lenovo’s new education devices, especially the AI-enabled range, are built for real learning, not just retail shelves, said Liddiard.
“They are tough enough for school life, powerful enough for creative and STEM work, and efficient enough to get through a full school day. Built-in AI helps students research, summarise and create with less friction, which boosts confidence and keeps focus on learning,” he said.
“These devices arrive at a perfect time, as digital capability becomes core to learning outcomes rather than a nice-to-have.”
Liddiard said Edunet’s service-first approach helps school leaders make confident, budget-friendly decisions.
“Schools must balance budgets, curriculum needs and long-term reliability, and technology choices are rarely simple. Edunet takes the pressure off by helping leaders compare total value, not just purchase price,” he said.
“We handle service, repairs and support, so schools can rely on stable and well-managed device fleets.”
Liddiard said Edunet’s Smarter Schools Smarter Tech guide shares the questions that matter most before purchasing.
“It is designed to give school leaders clarity, confidence and a path to choose technology that supports students for years, not just a semester.”
Schools can download the Lenovo Buying Guide or connect with Edunet for tailored BYOD solutions.