The move is made for the students. As most schools are getting rid of all the paper and moving to technology the companies providing sad technology are transforming as well. I know for my brothers school they use microsoft and I am assuming it is because of the price points.
Honestly I don't really get why people love iPads. I had one for about a month when I was younger and it wasn't all that great. I used it to watch porn which ended up being the demise of Joe's iPad.
Well here is the official picture for the new iPad and pencil.
Gotcha.