MADRID — The Ministry of Education has announced that all parents of school-age children must now attend a compulsory week-long preparation course before the academic year begins, a measure designed to ease the financial strain of the 505-euro average back-to-school bill.
The course, titled 'Parental Readiness for the 2026-2027 Term', requires mothers and fathers to sit through 35 hours of lectures on budgeting, uniform maintenance, and the emotional resilience needed to face a 2,484-euro annual school bill. Attendance is mandatory, and parents who fail to complete the course will be required to repeat it during the first month of classes.
According to the Ministry, the initiative follows a recommendation from the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU), which noted that many families are unprepared for the financial shock of the new term. 'Parents need to understand that a 505-euro initial outlay is just the beginning,' said a ministry spokesperson. 'By the end of the course, they will be able to recite the price of every textbook, uniform button, and school trip from memory.'
The course has been met with mixed reactions. Some parents have embraced the extra preparation, while others have pointed out that the course itself adds to the overall cost of the school year. The Ministry has responded by offering a discount on next year's course for families who complete this one with distinction.
In Madrid, where the annual cost per child reaches 3,512 euros, the course has been extended to two weeks. The Ministry has also announced plans to introduce a similar program for grandparents, who are increasingly called upon to help with school runs and homework.