Dutch schools must provide laptops for all students, but often fail to do so

Dutch secondary schools increasingly require laptops, but schools do not always provide adequate alternatives when parents cannot or will not pay, leaving some students unable to fully participate in lessons. This causes significant stress for affected families. Schools may request voluntary parental contributions for laptops, but parents are not obligated to pay, and schools must offer a full alternative like a loaner laptop. However, social workers report cases where schools delay help or provide inadequate devices, and loaner laptops often malfunction with school programs. Organizations like the Armoedefonds and LAKS call for national funding for digital learning tools, similar to free school books, citing inequality and regional inconsistencies. The education ministry says most cases go well, but the Tweede Kamer's June motion to include laptops in the free school books law will not be implemented for now due to high costs.