D66, VVD and GroenLinks‑PvdA want schools to be allowed to purchase laptops or tablets for their students under the same legal framework that currently guarantees free schoolbooks. The parties have asked State Secretary for Education Judith Tielen (VVD) to explore whether this can be formally added to the law.
According to Arend Kisteman (VVD), expanding the law would be an “enormously positive step in the digitalisation challenge”. Marjolein Moorman (GroenLinks‑PvdA) argues that it would give the government more control over the quality and consistency of digital learning tools, instead of relying on “bring your own device.” She also believes it would reduce inequality between students.
The VVD, however, does not want to allocate additional funding. Kisteman emphasised that schools would need to make choices within existing budgets. Kisteman suggested that schools could save money by using textbooks more economically. Ilana Rooderkerk (D66) called this an interesting idea, noting that her party also wants to ban disposable textbooks.
Moorman agreed that reducing disposable books could free up funds. She also mentioned cutting back on external teachers as another option. “If none of that is possible, then we simply have to make extra money available,” she added.
Disagreement
State Secretary Tielen questioned whether there is currently a significant issue with access to digital devices. She stated that students who need a laptop or tablet already have one. Further, providing free devices by law would cost around 221 million euros per year. “I wouldn’t know where to get that from right now, and the question is also whether we should even want to do so, because the practical problem is limited”, added Tielen.
Moorman expressed shock at Tielen’s assessment, insisting that the issue is “enormously huge”. She also argued that 221 million euros is “nothing on a budget of 57 billion”.
@anp | NEWSBRAINPORT
