Tablet procurement according to the Bocholt model

Education

Subsidy for

digital end devices / tablets

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 current estimated costs amount to 500 euros, which means a minimum subsidy of 250 euros (as of February/2024, see Why is the personal contribution non-binding for the time being?)

In addition, it is possible to apply for an increased subsidy for certain groups of people; instalment payments are also offered. The increased subsidy can be conveniently applied for digitally as part of the binding tablet declaration.

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 the digital education of our children!

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 e-mail address (deadline: 15 March 2024).
In the second step - after the binding declaration has been checked by the city of Bocholt - parents will receive a link to conclude the electronic purchase contract by e-mail in May 2024. An effective purchase contract is only concluded once the legal guardians have completed and confirmed the purchase contract.
In the third step, after payment of the purchase price or the first instalment, the prepared tablet including accessories will be handed over by the school in time for the start of school in 2024/2025.

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 tablets at the start of the 2024/2025 school year.

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. "Whathappens if I do not want to purchase a subsidised tablet for my child?"

Frequently asked questions

How do I get the code/PIN combination?

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

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.

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 approved. Details can be found in the section(Downloads, Presentation status of 17/05/2023, slide 6).

Which tablets and accessories does the city of Bocholt currently use?

The Apple iPad 10.2" 64 GB 9th generation 2021 (WiFi only) is currently used as standard at the schools in Bocholt. The Logitech SlimFolio keyboard and the Logitech Crayon pen (1st generation) are used as standard accessories.

In addition, the city of Bocholt also covers the tablets (only iPad without accessories) with AppleCare for Enterprise for 3 years.

This standard equipment is also to be procured as part of the Bocholt model.

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.

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

In accordance with the political resolutions of the city council meeting of 25 October 2023, pupils (SuS) in future years 7 and 11 will be eligible in 2024 (and subsequent years).

In 2024, pupils in the future year 8 (school year 2024/2025 only) will be eligible once .

Only the future year groups mentioned are eligible. If the offer is not taken up in the year mentioned, it cannot be claimed in the following years.

Who procures the tablets?

The tablets are procured centrally via the city of Bocholt, but ownership is transferred 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.

Do the schools have comprehensive WLAN coverage?

Yes, with the help of the Digital Pact for Schools, comprehensive Wi-Fi could be provided in all schools by the end of 2023. Read the article Bocholt schools receive nation wide Wi-Fi from 11.12.2023.

By the way, the city Wi-Fi "BEWspeed2go" is available to pupils free of charge for school use. The tablets automatically connect to the WiFi "BEWspeed schools" at access points. This is based on an agreement between the city of Bocholt and BEW.

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

After submitting the binding declaration, you will be asked by the email address tabletbeschaffung(at)bocholt(dot)de to confirm your address via a link. If this does not happen, 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 is the Bocholt model?

The Bocholt model describes a holistic, sustainable and self-contained system that has been developed over the past three years. The schools have been very closely involved in the process through the concept of media development planning.

It is 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.

Why is the personal contribution non-binding for the time being?

The procurement process for the tablets can only be finalised once all binding declarations have been received. Although the city of Bocholt has corresponding framework agreements, fluctuations may occur due to changes in price indices.

For this reason, the subsidy and your own contribution may change during the procurement process and will not be finalised until the purchase offer is sent in May 2024.

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 can be implemented in a budget-friendly manner by involving parents in the financing costs of digitalisation.

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
- once for the future year 8 with a useful life of 3 years, cf: Entitled persons
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 upper secondary school and it is not currently 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 upper secondary school.

What does AppleCare for Enterprise (ACE) protection include?

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

ServicePool at the Digital and IT department
- Enables replacement after release without giving reasons, e.g. external influence
- Replacement on the next possible day
- 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
Unique selling point: Comprehensive service and support services
- Consisting of user:inside support
- IT helpdesk and processing of business-critical processes
Protection period: 3 years from June 2024

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

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.

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 time of the enquiry 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 organised by the city of Bocholt in years 7 or 11, the entitlement continues to exist.