House of representatives about mobile phones at school and free laptops.

House of representatives about mobile phones at school and free laptops.

Yesterday the House of Representatives spoke about digitalization in education. This included topics many parents deal with daily: mobile phones in the classroom, the use and costs of laptops, and the influence of AI at school. Six proposals (motions) have been submitted. Next week the House will vote on these.

Will laptops and tablets be free soon? 

At this moment, students in secondary education receive their school books for free. This is arranged in the law free school books. But that law is now outdated: digital tools play a much bigger role than when the law was introduced. 

Parties such as D66, VVD and practical education track therefore want the law to be extended. Their proposal: also include laptops and tablets in the scheme. This would set the same starting point for all students, regardless of the financial situation at home. 

If the House of Representatives agrees, the cabinet must before 2027 investigate how the law can be changed to a broader law free learning resources. Schools that already offer free devices now serve as examples. 

Stricter rules for mobile phones: “at home or in the locker” 

Another important topic is the use of smartphones at school. Many schools already have rules, but these currently differ per school. 

JA21 and D66 now advocate for a national, clear guideline: no use of mobile phones the entire school day. The motto is ‘at home or in the locker.’ 

According to the proposers of the motion, phone use leads to distraction and makes it too easy to use AI tools, for example, in schoolwork. They think students should first learn to think and work by themselves. 

Less screen, more books and handwriting 

A broader proposal, supported by seven parties, was about limiting screen use in the classroom. The core: use digital tools only if they really add something. 

The idea is that: 

• Reading happens more often from paper books again 
• Writing by hand becomes the standard 
• Notes are not made only digitally 

The parties refer to studies showing that students concentrate better and understand lesson material better without (too much) screen use. The cabinet must clarify before the end of the school year 2026-2027 how and when this policy will be implemented. 

The doubts around laptops and digital learning tools are also reflected among parents. In the Staat van de Ouder 2026 it became clear that parents are afraid that laptops cause distraction. Children are quicker to do other things than school or homework. 

How do you deal with AI in school assignments? 

Finally, there is a proposal about the use of AI in writing assignments. More and more students use tools that can generate texts. This raises new questions: how does a teacher still know if a student wrote it themselves? 

JA21 and D66 want the cabinet to develop practical solutions together with schools and teachers. Think of: 

• Different ways of testing 
• Adjusted writing assignments 
• Clear rules about AI use 

What now? 

The House of Representatives will vote next Tuesday on these proposals. Then it is up to the cabinet to further develop the adopted motions.