A secondary school in Mid-Levels has defended its policy of checking the personal computers of students, saying it only collects data related to their studies in class.

Several internet users claiming to be students from St Paul's Co-educational College alleged the school was installing software on their computers to monitor what they do at home, including checking their e-mails and chats in texting apps.

The school said in response on Friday that it only does spot checks on browsing and app usage records, as well as apps installed during classes.

"The spot checks are meant to understand the students' usage of tablet computers at school, to ensure that they use them properly and prevent the devices from being infected by computer viruses or malware, which would in turn endanger the safety of the campus' computer network," it said.

The school added that if there's a need to follow up on cases, data collected would be permanently destroyed afterwards.

It stressed the move is based on a device usage policy that parents and students signed and agreed to, and that it places a strong emphasis on the privacy of students.

The school insisted that all of its measures and policies are there for the well-being of students.

The Education Bureau, meanwhile, said it's contacted the school about the matter and asked it to review the mechanism in handling personal data with students.

It said it will continue to keep in touch with the school to give its views and provide assistance.

The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data said it's received no complaints so far, but it would contact the school to learn more.