SCHOOL textbooks will be free of charge for all pupils up to fifth form inclusive from September next year in a pioneering move by the regional government.
Parents all over the country spend between €200 and €300 per child on set books at the start of every academic year, and IVA on compulsory texts went up from 4% to 21% in September 2012.
But now, one of Spain's 17 autonomously-governed regions has set aside enough funds to pay for these for all pupils below sixth-form and FE college level – a ground-breaking move that will save the parents of 615,000 children and teenagers a fortune and which, it is hoped, will start a trend elsewhere in the country.
A grant will be given to all families, irrespective of income, although it is not compulsory for them to seek it if they do not want to.
Parents who wish to can donate textbooks at the end of the forthcoming academic year – in summer 2018 – for other children to use, provided they are in good condition with none of the answers filled in.
Families who receive them must agree to keep them in a tip-top state so they can be returned and given to other pupils at the end of each year.
The regional government says this will also teach children the importance of looking after their belongings and taking care of things loaned to them.
For the first year of the scheme – from September 2018 – a sum of between €40 and €50 million will be set aside to buy new books, and after this, they will be returned at the end of each summer term, meaning eventually, authorities will not have to put up any further cash.
