I don't buy my children's school books
@nela13 (59040)
Portugal
September 4, 2024 12:16pm CST
Until the 12th school year, no student pays for textbooks. A few years ago, the government decided that textbooks would be free for all children, regardless of their parents' income.
Every year my children have new books and reused books, because the ones that are in good condition are reused. There is an online database where we can see which manuals are new (which we can pick up at the stationery store) and which are reused (which we can get from school).
At the end of the school year, all parents agree to hand over the manuals to see which ones can be reused in the next year.
This helps a lot with the family budget, if they weren't offered I would spend around €450 this month on books for my 2 children. Today was the day to pick up my daughter's books, tomorrow it will be my son's.
14 people like this
14 responses
@snowy22315 (192014)
• United States
5 Sep
I think textbooks are covered here until college, but I may be wrong about some.
2 people like this
@allknowing (148587)
• India
5 Sep
You do havea thoughtful government Here in India early education is free
1 person likes this
@anya12adwi (10246)
• India
4 Sep
Great initiative!! So the students give up their books after they pass out?
1 person likes this
@anya12adwi (10246)
• India
6 Sep
@nela13 Wow!! Great initiative!! I wish this initiative can be introduced here!
1 person likes this
@somewitch (1780)
•
1 Oct
I hate how school books must be replaced every few years. I get they need to be updated but it's such a waste of money and resources. It would be great if kids could use a device that mimics real books, like a Kindle, and rely more on digital versions. At least it's nice you don't have to pay for books over there. 
They can get so expensive, €450 for two children is A LOT!
They can get so expensive, €450 for two children is A LOT!1 person likes this
@nela13 (59040)
• Portugal
1 Oct
@somewitch My kids make good use of these school books, teachers here use them a lot.
1 person likes this
@somewitch (1780)
•
1 Oct
@nela13 I thought of a digital alternative because I revived my e-reader, all you can do on such device is reading books and it has no backlit screen that hurts the eyes. It is not the same as a tablet, not the same as a book either but it reduces waste. Maybe schools should just let students buy fewer books, I remember I didn't even open some school books because some teachers wanted us to study the notes we'd take during classes.
1 person likes this
@luisadannointed (7693)
• Philippines
2 Oct
Wow that's a great help from the government. Slowly our government under Marcos is also giving aid to the student, I hope this will continue.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (59040)
• Portugal
2 Oct
It is a great help for families. I hope your government start to do similar things.
@nela13 (59040)
• Portugal
8 Sep
It is, if it wasn't this way, I would spend a lot of money this month.
@Juliaacv (54003)
• Canada
4 Sep
When I was a student, and still true until today, the school boards cover all of the costs for books.
When I was in high school, because it was a private school, I did have to pay for my own text books, but that was because my parents preferred to send me there, it was not the norm.
The same held true when the students had to learn virtually during covid, the ipads were all supplied at no cost.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (85173)
• United States
5 Sep
Reusing books in good condition is a great way to save money. Not having to pay for textbooks is a huge savings for parents. I know I used to spend a lot of money sending my kids back (back in the day)
1 person likes this
@nela13 (59040)
• Portugal
5 Sep
Yes, it is a great help for families, in my case with 2 kids the savings are huge.
@JESSY3236 (20716)
• United States
10 Sep
Here textbooks are covered until college. I know the college I went to has a similar program where you can return the book after you finish the class. I think it's a cool program.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (59040)
• Portugal
6 Sep
It's a way of ensuring that everyone has school books, that no one is left out because they don't have the money to buy them.
