Education is a fundamental tool for the development and growth of any society. In this sense, the Ministry of Educational Development and Vocational Training of the Board of Andalusia has made a significant investment of 93,3 million euros in the free textbooks for the next school year 2023/2024. This initiative will allow nearly 500.000 Primary Education and Special Education students to have new books.
This investment, one of the largest in recent years, is part of the Free Textbook Program. Program that has allocated a total of 293,4 million euros since the 2019/2020 academic year. Thanks to this, more than 3,7 million students have benefited.
Textbooks: innovative distribution process
The distribution and renewal process is well structured: the 1st and 2nd grade books are renewed every year, while from 3rd grade to 4th ESO it is done every four years.
For stationery stores, this represents an increase in demand, especially during the summer. Some stationery stores in Seville have seen book checks from more than 80% of the city's schools arrive at their business. Those responsible for them point out that this program is an economic relief for families, especially in a context where inflation and the increase in food prices is palpable.
Technological advances have made it easier to deliver books. Thanks to the iPASEN app, families can obtain their book check electronically and redeem it in person or even via WhatsApp in bookstores. A modality that has gained popularity, with 90% of people choosing this route.
However, there are other challenges facing education, such as the decline in the birth rate. Spain has recorded a decrease in the number of births, which will eventually translate into lower demand for educational materials.
Free Textbook Program
According to the Junta de Andalucía, free textbooks is a right recognized in the Statute of Autonomy and supported by the 17 / 2007, of December 10, of Education of Andalusia.
Furthermore, the Junta de Andalucía emphasizes that free textbooks not only seek to alleviate the family economy. Also instill values of responsibility and care towards educational material. The Free Textbook Program is a loan system. Therefore, at the end of each course, the books are returned to be used by other students. In this way, reuse and awareness about investment in education are promoted.
This commitment to education demonstrates that, beyond the numbers, the objective is to form responsible, aware and prepared citizens for the challenges of the future.
