Tablets, laptops and digital book licences: what schools expect you to buy

Key rules

• Where devices are expected: Devices are expected mainly in secondary, and more often in concertada and private schools than in public ones.
• Public schools: A public school should offer an alternative or a loan if you cannot afford a device.
• Loans: Loan schemes are mostly needs-based, and the school usually applies for the pupil.
• Licences: Digital book licences are charged per pupil per year, and may be included in a book pack or paid by a regional scheme.

Device prices, licence costs and loan schemes vary by school, region and year, so confirm current figures with the school and your regional education department.

Do you have to buy a device?

Mostly in secondary, and it depends on the school and the region. In infant and early primary, public schools usually supply classroom tablets or laptops, so you buy nothing. Families are most often asked to buy or rent a device from 5th–6th of primary or 1st of ESO, and sometimes earlier. Concertada and private schools are more likely to ask for one than public schools.

Public education is free, so a public school should not make a device a compulsory cost where it can provide one. If you cannot afford one, the school should offer an alternative or a loan.

What will it cost?

Schools usually ask for a mid-range tablet or laptop. The price depends on the model the school names and on whether you buy or rent. Some schools offer instalment plans or rental through a supplier. Ask the school which model and supplier it specifies, then get the current price from the supplier.

Digital book licences

A digital book licence is charged per pupil, per year. The publisher or platform charges it, and the price depends on the publisher, the subject bundle and the school's agreement. Some schools include licences in the price of a book pack. Where a regional free textbook scheme covers digital materials, the administration may pay. Ask the school and the publisher for the current figure before you pay anything.

Borrowing a device

Several regions have loan programmes, funded partly by national digital-education programmes. Andalusia, Madrid, Catalonia, Castilla-La Mancha, Galicia, the Basque Country and Valencia have all lent laptops or tablets. Loans are mostly for upper primary and secondary pupils, and mainly in public schools.

Eligibility is usually based on need, such as low family income. The school normally identifies pupils and applies for them, so tell the school early if you cannot afford a device. Schemes change by region and year, so ask the school or your regional education department what is available now.

The checklist below gives the questions to ask, and the FAQ covers common worries.

Checklist

• Ask the school whether your child's year needs a tablet or laptop, since devices are expected mainly in secondary and sometimes from 5th–6th of primary.

• Ask whether the school supplies the device itself or expects you to buy or rent one.

• Ask which digital book licences your child needs and who charges for them: the publisher, the platform or the school.

• Ask whether the licences are already included in a book pack or covered by a regional free textbook scheme.

• Ask the school or your regional education department about device loans and whether your family qualifies.

• Tell the school early if you cannot afford a device, so it can apply for a loan or offer an alternative.

Frequently asked questions

Can a public school force me to buy a tablet or laptop?

No, a public school cannot impose a device as a compulsory cost where it can provide one, because public education is free. Regional departments have said schools must offer an alternative or a loan to families who cannot afford a device. If you are pressed to buy one, ask the school in writing what alternative it offers.

Which regions lend laptops or tablets to pupils?

Several regions have loan programmes, including Andalusia, Madrid, Catalonia, Castilla-La Mancha, Galicia, the Basque Country and Valencia. They mostly cover the upper primary and secondary stages. Programmes differ by region and year, so ask the school what is running now.

Who qualifies for a school device loan?

Eligibility for a device loan is usually based on need, such as low family income. The school identifies the pupils and applies on their behalf, so tell the school early that you would need a loan.