Bocholt.de | Tablet procurement according to the Bocholt model

Support for digital learning

Welcome to the City of Bocholt's tablet procurement information page!

In today's digital world, pupils need extensive skills to be able to handle media safely and competently.

For this reason, we as the city of Bocholt have developed the Bocholt model, which provides for the mandatory introduction and use of tablets for schools sponsored by the city of Bocholt and defines a binding standard.

The basis for the procurement of school tablets was created in the city council meeting on 25 October 2023(see downloads). Prior to this, the media development plan (MEP) was drawn up in close cooperation with the city's schools. The secondary schools have decided in favour of the mandatory use of tablets as teaching and learning aids by a resolution of the school conference and therefore already fulfil the necessary requirements. This includes the use and scope of the tablets under standardised framework and usage conditions specified by the city of Bocholt, as well as integration into the Mobile Device Management (MDM).

Eligible persons receive a subsidy of 50% of the purchase price from the city of Bocholt when purchasing a tablet including accessories (pen, keyboard incl. edge protection and protective glass). Ownership is transferred to the eligible person once the purchase price has been paid in full. The currently estimated costs amount to around 510 euros, which would mean a minimum subsidy of 255 euros (as of March 2025).

It is also possible to apply for payment in instalments and, under certain conditions, an increase in the subsidy.

The city of Bocholt, as the responsible body for the public schools, is convinced that the Bocholt model developed makes an important contribution to promoting digital skills among young people and advances digital education in Bocholt!

Three steps: This is how the purchase of school tablets works

In the first step, the legal guardians of eligible pupils are informed by the City of Bocholt by post. This letter contains the link to the binding declaration, as well as the required code and PIN. The legal guardians will be asked to submit the binding declaration for the purchase of a subsidised tablet and to verify their email address.
In the second step - after the binding declaration has been checked by the City of Bocholt - parents will receive an email with a link to finalise the electronic purchase contract. Only after the parent or guardian has completed and confirmed the purchase contract is an effective purchase contract concluded.
In the third step, after payment of the purchase price or the first instalments, the prepared tablet including accessories is handed over to the school in time for the start of school. The schools decide independently on the timing of the devices.

Even if parents do not wish to take advantage of the offer to purchase a subsidised tablet, the city of Bocholt still requests that the binding declaration be sent in order to complete the process properly. This is the only way to ensure the smooth distribution of the tablets.

Pupils whose legal guardians do not accept the offer will be provided by the City of Bocholt with a loan device of a similar type and quality exclusively for school purposes. Cf. "What happens if I do not wish to purchase a subsidised tablet for my child?"

Questions about the Bocholt model

What is the Bocholt model?

The Bocholt model represents a holistic, sustainable and self-contained system. The schools have been very closely involved in the process through the concept of media development planning.

It describes the combination of the digital equipment of the schools with digital blackboards, WLAN and other components, as well as the now finalised and subsidised equipment of the pupils with tablets according to the agreed quantity structure. A broadband connection and a reliable and modern basic infrastructure round off the technical basis.

The Bocholt model also includes standardised procurement, support and administration as well as ensuring the holistic operation of the entire infrastructure for the schools sponsored by the city of Bocholt.

Read the article Bocholt schools receive nationwide Wi-Fi from 11.12.2023 and watch the video.

To what extent are the pupils of the schools sponsored by the city of Bocholt equipped?

As part of the media development planning, corresponding models and quantities were discussed and defined together with the schools and finally politically agreed.

Who is entitled to purchase a subsidised tablet from the city of Bocholt?

In accordance with the political resolutions of the City Council of 25 October 2023, pupils (SuS) in future years 7 and 11 are eligible.

Only the aforementioned future year groups are eligible. If the offer is not utilised in the specified year, it cannot be claimed in the following years.

What happens if I don't want to purchase a subsidised tablet for my child?

The system of the Bocholt model is based on the principle of voluntariness. This means that a subsidised tablet does not have to be purchased. According to the political decision (see 263/2023 3.4), the child is then provided with a loan device of the same type and quality.

By foregoing the purchase of a subsidised tablet, your child will be provided with a loan device including accessories. This loan device does not have to be of the latest standard and may already show signs of use. The loaned device remains the property of the City of Bocholt, is intended exclusively for school use and is not released for private use. Furthermore, a personal customer ID will not be authorised for the purchase of private apps.

The aim is to create a sustainable and high-quality overall system that is to be implemented in a budget-friendly manner by involving parents in the financing costs of digitisation.

Nevertheless, please submit the binding declaration so that your process is finalised and further queries are avoided.

Which tablet and which accessories are available for purchase?

The Apple iPad 11" (A16), 128 GB in silver (Wifi only) is offered for sale. The protective case incl. Logitech Combo Touch Education Blue keyboard and the Logitech Crayon Blue pen (USB-C) are offered as standard accessories. The tablet will also be equipped with a protective glass. A power supply unit will not be part of the purchase offer. In addition, the city of Bocholt will also cover the tablets (iPad only, without accessories) for 3 years with AppleCare for Enterprise.

A deviation from the standard equipment at the request of the buyer is not possible.

Who procures the tablets?

The tablets are procured centrally via the city of Bocholt, but become the property of the buyer upon full payment of the personal contribution. Further details are set out in the purchase contract. In addition to the payment method, instalment payments can also be agreed in this contract.

Questions about the subsidy

How much is the subsidy from the city of Bocholt?

When purchasing a tablet (Apple iPad) including accessories (pen, keyboard incl. edge protection and protective glass), you will receive a subsidy of at least 50% of the purchase price from the city of Bocholt.

For certain groups of people (e.g. income group up to €37,000, receipt of social benefits, siblings, foster children) it is possible to apply for a higher subsidy.

If my child is no longer eligible (e.g. moves house, changes school), can I still buy the tablet?

If a student changes or drops out of school between the submission of the binding declaration and the start of the school year, there is no entitlement to fulfilment of the contract for the purchase of the subsidised tablet. In the event of a change between schools sponsored by the City of Bocholt in years 7 or 11, the entitlement continues to exist.

Do I have to pay back the grant if my child leaves the school before the end of the period of use?

The subsidy will not be reclaimed once the tablet has been handed over and the purchase price has been paid in full.

Questions about the binding declaration

Where can I make a binding declaration to purchase a tablet?

The information letters sent by the City of Bocholt contain a link to the digital form. As the form cannot be used without a code/PIN, please refer to the information letter.

How do I get the code/PIN combination?

An information letter will be sent to the address of the eligible pupils known to the schools. If you have not received this, please do not hesitate to contact us.

I have not received confirmation of my binding declaration by e-mail, what should I do?

After sending the binding declaration, you will be asked by the e-mail address tabletbeschaffung(at)bocholt(dot)de to confirm your address via a link. If this is not done, the process is not fully completed.

Please check your e-mail inbox or SPAM folder for an e-mail with the subject "Confirmation link binding declaration tablet".

If you cannot find an e-mail, please contact us.

What happens after the binding declaration is submitted?

Once all binding declarations have been received, the procurement process for the tablets will be initiated by the City of Bocholt. The city of Bocholt has corresponding framework agreements, but fluctuations may occur due to changes in the price index. The subsidy and own contribution may change as a result of the procurement process and will not be finalised until the digital purchase offer is sent out in June of this year.

When and how do I receive the purchase contract?

The link to the purchase contract will be sent to the verified e-mail address in June of this year. The purchase contract can only be concluded digitally.

Questions about utilisation

How will my child receive the device?

The equipment is prepared by the city of Bocholt and made available to the schools at the start of the school year, including a handover protocol. The school is responsible for deciding when the equipment is issued.

How is a distinction made between private and school use?

The devices are managed by the city's Mobile Device Management (MDM) system. Private use during a certain time is excluded via the MDM. These time profiles are distributed daily to the devices via an existing internet connection. The times of exclusive school use are determined by the respective school. During private use, parents/guardians are responsible for compliance with the applicable law (e.g. protection of minors).

As a parent or legal guardian, can I impose restrictions during private use of the device?

The city's Mobile Device Management (MDM) offers a free app for parents and guardians called the JAMF Parent App. This app can be used to set restrictions and make settings on the purchased tablet - only during private use. During school use, the regulations of the municipal MDM take precedence.

How long is the planned useful life?

If you are attending upper secondary school, it is possible to purchase the equipment twice.

The first purchase offer (SEK I)
- for the future year 7 with a useful life of 4 years
The second purchase offer (SEK II)
- for the future year 11 with a useful life of 3 years

As the requirements for apps tend to be higher in the upper secondary level and it is currently not assumed that a tablet can be operated with high performance for a total of 7 years, a new offer will be made at the start of the upper secondary level.

Which WLAN connections can be used?

The purchased tablet is connected to the school's Wi-Fi profile by the city of Bocholt. The device can be integrated into the private WLAN.
Pupils can use the City-WLAN "BEWspeed 2go" free of charge for school use. The tablets automatically connect to the WLAN "BEWspeed-Schulen" at access points within Bocholt. This is based on an agreement between the city of Bocholt and BEW.

What does AppleCare for Enterprise (ACE) protection include?

AppleCare for Enterprise (ACE) for iPads (without accessories) includes, among other things

Protection period: 3 years from purchase by the city of Bocholt (usually June of the year)
Comprehensive service and support
- Consisting of user support
- IT helpdesk and processing of business-critical processes
Unlimited claims settlement in the event of defects without external influence or fault
Extended support for the Digital and IT department
- Indirectly increases the level of support, reliability and availability of the overall system and each iPad
- Short response times

More information can be found on the AppleCare for Enterprise page.

Tablet procurement according to the Bocholt model