School costs and aid in the Canary Islands

Terms used

• Comedor — The comedor is the school canteen, where pupils eat lunch at school.
• ESO — ESO is compulsory secondary school, for pupils aged about 12 to 16.
• Banco de libros — The banco de libros is a school book bank that lends textbooks to pupils each year.
• Concertada — A concertada school is privately run but funded by the state.

Key rules

• Comedor: The free comedor is for public-school pupils and depends on income or personal situation.
• Books: Books are lent, so return them in good condition or you may pay for them.
• Applications: Apply separately for each programme, every year, usually in spring or summer.
• Transport: Free transport depends on distance and island criteria for your assigned school.

Conditions, income limits and covered levels change each year, so confirm them with the school or the Canarias education department before applying.

The short version

Public schools in the Canary Islands help with three costs: lunch, books and transport. Each programme has its own scope, and you apply for each one separately. Budget as if you may have to pay for some of them, then subtract whatever you win.

Free school meals (comedor)

The free comedor is for pupils in public schools in infant, primary and ESO (compulsory secondary school). It is not for private schools.

• Who qualifies: families with income under a set threshold. Some pupils qualify because of their situation, for example being at risk of social exclusion or living in a family that receives the Canarian minimum-income benefit.
• How to apply: you apply every year, usually in the spring or summer call. Ask the school secretary when the window opens.
• What to watch: the scheme has been widening toward free access for more families. Ask the regional education department (Consejería de Educación) which conditions apply for the coming school year before you count on a place or rule one out.

Free school books (banco de libros)

The books are lent, not given. The programme runs a book bank (banco de libros) in public schools and some concertada schools (privately run, state-funded). It covers compulsory education, including primary and ESO.

• How it works: the school lends you the books each year.
• Your duty: return them in good condition. You may have to pay for books that are lost or damaged.
• How to apply: through the school, usually in spring or summer.
• What to watch: the levels and the range of schools covered change by year, so ask the school what is included for your child's grade.

School transport

Transport is run by the region. In the islands, free transport applies to pupils assigned to a school far from home. Island and distance criteria decide who gets it. Ask the school or the regional education department whether your address qualifies, and whether post-compulsory levels carry a fee.

Planning your budget

1. Ask the school which of the three programmes it offers.
2. Note each application window and apply in the same spring or summer period.
3. Keep some money aside for what you do not win, and for damaged books.

The questions below cover transport, comedor eligibility and damaged books.

Frequently asked questions

Is school transport free in Canarias?

Yes, school transport in Canarias is free if your child is assigned to a school far from home, with island and distance criteria applying. Cost is usually free in compulsory education, while post-compulsory levels may involve a fee or aid. Ask the regional education department for the current rules.

Who qualifies for the free comedor in Canarias?

Free comedor places in Canarias go to public-school pupils in infant, primary and ESO whose families are under an income threshold.

What happens if my child damages a book from the free book programme?

You may have to pay for books that are lost or damaged, because the books are lent each year through a book bank (banco de libros). Your child must return them in good condition.