Q&A relating to parent responsibility to pay for repairs or loss of the DER Laptops

 

Question:

Are there times parents will be required to pay for damage to or replacement of laptops?

Answer:

Yes

The 2010 Laptop User Charter states that

2.2.5    Laptops that are damaged or lost by neglect, abuse or malicious act, may require reimbursement. The Principal will determine whether replacement is appropriate and/or whether or not the student is responsible for repair or replacement costs and whether or not the student retains access to a laptop for home use. 

The DET definition of an accident is guided by the rules regarding the Treasury Managed Fund who pays for replacement in case of loss or theft.

 The NSW Treasury Managed Fund Contract of Coverage states "The Fund covers all losses, provided the loss is fortuitous, real and quantitative"   This means that damage or loss occurred from carelessness, inattention or an apparent disregard is deemed to be due to negligence.  Damage or loss caused or partly caused by negligence is not covered by TMF.

They will only cover the cost if they deemed fault- for example if a student trips over the laptop electrical cord and the laptop is pulled onto the ground and smashes the screen, the claim will not be paid as though it seems to be an accident , there was not due care taken to guard against such an incident happening.

In such a case the school would request reimbursement from the student.

Q. What happens if a parent refuses to pay?

For families in financial hardship the principal has discretion to make arrangements for the cost to be paid off over a period of time or other flexible solutions.

However if a family refuse to pay the principal will arrange for a loan laptop for the student for day use only i.e. the student cannot take it home.  Instead the student will collect it from and return it to the TSO at start and end of the school day. The TSO will ensure it is charged overnight. Thus the student will not be disadvantaged in the classroom.    The principal may decide that a student who has a laptop related debt and is later allocated a laptop, will not be entitled to keep the laptop at the end of Year 12.

Useful websites: 

http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/gotoschool/highschool/dernsw/index.php
http://www.tale.edu.au/
http://web1.gosford-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/
http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/