Legal questions about school and laptop obligations

Questioner

Should I buy a laptop as a parent because the school says it is a requirement and indispensable in the lessons? (Proof in e-mail.) Is the school obliged to provide the device free of charge? They talk about “Bring your own device”. They do provide the software for free. My son is 12 and will be going to the first year of secondary school next school year.

Lawyer

You don't have to. Funding of teaching materials has been the school's obligation for a number of years. The VO-raad, the organisation for secondary education, has adopted the minister's judgement that computers also fall under this. There is a catch. It only applies to mandatory resources in the classroom. A computer for homework may be requested (the one from the public library could be used) and it is not necessary if alternatives are available, such as books in paper form. At school your child should not need anything other than general resources such as notebooks, pen and calculator compasses and the like. The other materials must be provided by the school. Of course, students are responsible for the careful handling of the items provided.