Schwarzenegger aims to terminate textbooks for computers

Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to replace traditional textbooks with digital ones in Californian schools.

The state governor hopes to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in spending each year, as California faces a budget shortfall of $24.3billion.

Schwarzenegger announced the policy in a classroom in Sacramento, saying the state's technology-savvy youth would easily adapt.

"Basically kids are feeling as comfortable with their electronic devices as I was with my pencils and crayons.

"Textbooks are outdated, in my opinion," he said. "For so many years, we've been trying to teach the kids exactly the same way."

He held up four large books and joked: "I can use these for the curls," in a nod to his bodybuilding days.

"From the beginning of the next school year in August, California's high school pupils will have access to online maths and science texts.

They could also use a digital textbook such as Sony reader, which can hold the same amount of information as up to 160 books.

The former film star, whose last major movie was Terminator3: Rise of the Machines in 2003, explained his idea further in an article for the San José Mercury News.

He wrote: "Our kids get their information from the internet, downloaded onto their iPods, and in Twitter feeds to their cell phones.

"So why are California's school students still forced to lug around antiquated, heavy, expensive textbooks?

Schwarzenegger's plan had a mixed response. High school teacher Kristina Fierro said: "It would be a huge cost to get the materials, but also to train the teachers and to train the students to make sure they know how to use it."