D66, VVD, and GroenLinks-PvdA call for free student laptops under schoolbook law

The three political parties, D66, VVD, and GroenLinks-PvdA, are pushing for schools to supply laptops or tablets at no cost to students. The parties have asked State Secretary for Education Judith Tielen if this could be added to the existing law that ensures students receive free schoolbooks.

Both Tielen and Prime Minister Rob Jetten are from the centrist D66, which is in a minority coalition with the right-wing VVD, while left-wing opposition GroenLinks-PvdA joined the call. Arend Kisteman of the VVD calls the proposal a “major step in tackling the digitalization challenge.”

Still, there were some divisions between the proponents. The VVD does not intend to provide additional funding for the proposal. Kisteman described it as an either-or choice, not a combination. “So, by the VVD’s logic, students would get either a laptop or schoolbooks?” GroenLinks-PvdA MP Marjolein Moorman questioned.

Moorman argues it allows the government to regulate what devices students use, rather than relying on a “bring your own device” system, and could help reduce disparities between pupils.

Kisteman proposes leaving the decision up to individual schools, though he suggested that more careful use of textbooks could free up funds for laptops. Ilana Rooderkerk from D66 called it an intriguing idea. Her party also advocates, among other measures, banning disposable schoolbooks.

Moorman views addressing disposable schoolbooks as a potential source of funding for laptops. She also proposed measures such as cutting back on externally hired teachers. “If that’s not enough, we simply need to allocate additional funding,” she said.

Tielen expressed doubt about whether there is a major issue with digital learning tools at present. She noted that students who require a laptop or tablet already have one. Providing free devices under the law, she said, would cost 221 million euros annually. “I don’t know where that funding would come from, and it’s also worth asking whether we should pursue this, given that the practical problem is limited.”

Moorman reacted with surprise to Tielen’s answer, stressing again that this is a “very serious problem.” She added that 221 million euros is “a drop in the bucket on a 57-billion-euro budget.”

Moorman's party is set to change to Progressief Nederland, or PRO.