Here it is increasingly common for a tablet or laptop to be on the stationery list. Our principal was all keen on it last year at the meet the teacher meeting. I said that ds6 (then 5) couldn't be trusted with anything expensive and breakable so if the wanted him to use a tablet they could supply and deal with the results of their foolishness. I mean at that age they can't manage to get their shoes and lunchbox home two days in a row.