Canary Islands to Implement Free School Books by 2026

The Canary Islands Government has unveiled its educational budget for 2026, amounting to €2.315 billion, marking a 7.4% increase from the previous year.

This budget represents the largest allocation for education in the islands’ history, with an additional €159 million compared to 2025. A key initiative within this budget is the introduction of free school books and materials, set to be gradually implemented starting from the 2026–27 academic year across all levels of compulsory education.

Investment in Educational Resources

The initial phase of this program will see an investment of €11 million, aimed at establishing a public bank of books and educational materials. This initiative is designed to ensure equal access to educational resources for all students in the Canary Islands. Initially, over 70,000 pupils in early Primary, ESO (secondary education), and Basic Vocational Training will benefit, with plans to extend this to approximately 185,000 students as the program matures.

Funding allocated per student will vary between €120 and €220, depending on their educational level, with materials intended for reuse over four to five school years. Councillor Suárez emphasized that this initiative is a significant advancement towards a more inclusive and affordable education system, alleviating financial pressures on families and fostering social equality.

Enhancements in Teacher Recruitment and Class Sizes

Education constitutes 18.5% of the total budget for the Canary Islands, making it the second-largest area of public spending after health. Among the notable measures for 2026 is the recruitment of nearly 1,000 new teachers, alongside a gradual reduction in class sizes. This follows an agreement with teachers’ unions aimed at improving the student-to-teacher ratio.

The objective is to limit class sizes to a maximum of 16 to 20 students in Infant Education, 22 in Primary, and 25 in Secondary. This initiative positions the Canary Islands among the regions with the most favorable student-to-teacher ratios in Spain.

Support for Special Educational Needs and Infrastructure Development

The budget also prioritizes support for students with special educational needs, with the number of non-teaching assistants in schools rising to 1,614, reflecting a 59% increase since 2022. Additionally, the number of guidance and therapeutic teachers has reached 2,941, and the islands have established 72 new specialist classrooms, three special education centers, and seven TEA (autism support) units, with more planned.

Furthermore, €22 million will be allocated to expand free early childhood education for children aged 0 to 3 years, fully funded by the regional budget following the cessation of European grants. Currently, there are 2,700 public nursery places, with a goal to increase this to 3,879 by 2026.

The childcare voucher scheme will see an increase to €5 million, with higher income thresholds to allow more families to benefit. Additionally, funding for school transport will rise by €8 million, and an extra €2.8 million will be directed towards canteen and breakfast programs.

In terms of infrastructure, the government is committed to its Strategic Plan for Educational Infrastructure 2024–2035, with a total investment of €235 million. This includes the €85 million South Tenerife Action Plan, which focuses on building and expanding educational facilities. An additional €30 million will be allocated to the High Temperature Adaptation Plan, which encompasses solar panel installations for 56 schools and shaded areas for 160 centers, along with new protocols for managing heatwaves.

The School Naturalisation Project will also advance, aiming to transform schoolyards into greener, more sustainable environments. Vocational Training (FP) continues to expand, with the number of training groups increasing from 2,342 to 2,600 in just two years, and student enrollment rising from 42,788 to 47,000. The FP teaching staff has grown to 4,000, supported by 30 industry coordinators to enhance collaboration between training centers and businesses.

To further support this sector, an additional €2 million in grants will be allocated to align students’ skills with job market demands. The education department is also modernizing its administration through a new Simplification Plan, which includes 65 measures aimed at reducing bureaucracy in schools. The new Doramas management system is expected to cut internal procedures by up to 50%, allowing school leaders to concentrate more on teaching and student support.

“Responsible management means using every euro effectively,” stated Councillor Suárez. “This budget is a commitment to equity, quality, and the well-being of the entire educational community in the Canary Islands.”

Key points

• The Canary Islands’ education budget for 2026 is €2.315 billion, a 7.4% increase from 2025.
• Free school books and materials will be introduced gradually starting in the 2026–27 academic year.
• The program aims to benefit around 185,000 students once fully implemented.
• Nearly 1,000 new teachers will be recruited to improve student-to-teacher ratios.
• Support for students with special educational needs has increased significantly.
• €22 million will be invested in expanding free early childhood education for children aged 0 to 3 years.
• The Strategic Plan for Educational Infrastructure 2024–2035 will receive a total investment of €235 million.