FAQ

How frequently will the PLD be used in class? Is there a recommended limit to screen time in class?

There is no recommended screen time as it depends very much on the nature of the activity. According to the American Academy of Paediatrics (2016), there is no one-size-fits-all approach to limiting the amount of screen time for teenagers. They recommend that screen time takes into consideration a child’s developmental stage, how the technology is used, the quality of the content and design of the material.

BMSS will design the learning programme to ensure that the students’ use of PLDs is balanced in relation to other activities and modes of learning. However, all PLDs will be installed with DMA, which allows teachers to manage students’ screen time if they so desire. Teachers will also continue to ensure that the amount of assignments set (both online and offline) is guided by the school’s homework policy.

What is the battery life for the laptops?

The battery of a fully charged device will be sufficient for a typical day of school activities, with a mixture of active use and idle periods. Students are to ensure their PLDs are fully charged at home before bringing them to school.

What is the expected shelf life of the PLD? What happens to the PLD after the student graduates?

The PLDs have an average shelf life of 4 years, to cover the time a student is in a secondary school. The school will uninstall the Device Management Application (DMA) from the PLDs upon students’ graduation, and students will have full control over their PLDs afterward.

Where can I find the full terms for PLD purchase?

Parents/guardians will be purchasing the PLD directly from the vendor, not MOE. This is pursuant to a bulk tender agreement between MOE and the vendor.

The tender documents set out the full terms and conditions of such a purchase, and can be found at this website: https://go.gov.sg/pldtermsandconditions

What happens if the device is stolen/lost?

The insurance coverage is only applicable to situations of damages and loss where the student has taken all necessary precautions to safeguard the PLD. A police report will need to be made for the insurance claim.

Does a police report need to be made if a student loses his/her PLD due to negligence?

Accidental loss due to negligence in not covered by insurance and a new PLD will need to be purchased by the parent. The school will assist in purchasing a replacement PLD.

How will my child/ward’s data be used in the DMA ?

1. The security software on students' Personal Learning Devices (PLDs) only collects information required to facilitate a conducive environment for teaching and learning, and to encourage good online practices.

2. First, the software enables MOE and schools to centrally update the devices, such as to install new learning applications or security patches. To do so, the software collects basic student information such as his or her name, school and email address. The software does not collect or track information such as identification numbers, passwords, and the location of the device.

3. Second, the software supports teachers in effective classroom management. For example, through the software, teachers will be able to see and support the work that the students are engaging in on their devices during lessons.

4. Third, the software helps to filter out harmful internet content. When students surf the Internet on their PLDs, the security software checks the website URL against a regularly-updated blacklist in order to block access to harmful content including pornographic and gambling-related websites or those with extremist content. In our engagements with parents, this feature of the software was something they strongly welcomed, as they were very concerned about excessive screen time, and their children's access to inappropriate content online.

5. Any student information collected by the software is stored in secure servers managed by appointed vendors with stringent access controls. This is in line with the Government's personal data laws and policies to safeguard sensitive data collected by public agencies.

6. Notwithstanding the benefits of the security software, there are some parents who have asked for some flexibilities in the implementation, including to disable the software after school hours. MOE's objectives are focused on the school environment, and on ensuring good teaching and learning outcomes in school. Hence, we will exercise flexibility, and give parents and students greater say on how they wish to use the software after school hours. This will include options to customise their own settings at home, or to turn off the software if they so prefer. MOE will provide more details on these arrangements as we progressively roll out the PLDs across all secondary schools.

Where will the data collected by DMA and IT Applications for NDLP be stored?

All user data which is collected by MOE will be stored in secure servers managed by the respective vendors of our systems. The Government has put in place strong personal data protection laws and policies to safeguard sensitive data collected by public agencies such as MOE. Please refer to this website for more information on these laws and policies: https://www.smartnation.gov.sg/why-Smart-Nation/secure-smartnation/personal-data-protection.

Is it necessary to install the DMA?

DMA software will be installed on your child’s PLD to provide a safe learning experience and to prevent misuse of the PLD. The DMA will be uninstalled from the PLD when your child graduates/leaves the school.

Who manages the parental control for DMA?

Parents/guardian of the student will manage the parental control. The school may structure control of device management such that parental control is enabled after school hours, during weekends and school holidays. However, parents will not be able to override the base set of device management rules (e.g. restriction of sites) set by the school.

Will the PLDs be programmed to disallow students from downloading games?

As part of user management, DMA can determine the appropriate teaching and learning applications as well as security patches, to be installed into every student’s PLD. For example, inappropriate websites as well as gaming and gaming websites or applications can be restricted (through either whitelisting or blacklisting). The school will also have the discretion, in the interests of our Merahans, to decide what applications and websites to enable/disable.

Reporting of Device Issues (hardware issues and damages)

i. Parents/students to contact Contractor’s helpdesk for device issues. Parents/students will need the following information such as their device serial number, brand and model of the device, their name and contact number to log a case with the helpdesk.

ii. Contractor’s helpdesk agent will advise parents/students on any further actions required (e.g. bringing their devices to the service centre for diagnosis or assessment of damage).

iii. Parents/students can also use the fortnightly collection service provided by the contractors to schools to send in their devices. Parents/students should only pass their devices to the school-based service desk on the collection day as there is space constraint to store devices in school.

iv. School-based service desk personnel will liaise and confirm the fortnightly collection date and time with the contractor. Contractor will pick up the devices from school on the arranged date and time.

v. The devices (depending on the parts availability) will be fixed and returned to school the next fortnightly collection service day. If there are follow up actions required, contractor will contact parents/students directly (e.g. the damage is not covered under warranty and need consent to claim insurance to get the repairs done).

vi. School-based service desk personnel will inform the students when they can collect back their devices.

vii. Students can loan a device from the school common pool for daily lessons during the period of repair.

viii. If students encounter issues with their devices in school, they may approach their school-based ICT support staff or service desk for assistance. They will perform basic troubleshooting and assist to log a case with contractor if needed.

ix. Please note that only personal learning devices procured under PDLP device bulk tender are eligible for the fortnightly collection services provided by contractors.

If your PLD encounter any issue(s), you can seek assistance from your respective class ICT Representative or seek reference from the PLD Troubleshooting webpage at PLD Troubleshooting.