Rising Back-to-School Costs: Average Spending Surpasses €500 Per Student
As the 2026 academic year approaches, the cost of back-to-school shopping for Spanish families has risen again. According to a recent price report, the average spending per student is projected to be €505, a slight 1% increase from last year but nearly 19% higher than in 2022, an €80 increase.
Among the various expenses, backpack prices have seen the most significant jump, rising by 11.25% year-over-year. The costs of stationery and physical textbooks also increased by 5.26% and 1.6%, respectively. However, some items have become cheaper, with sportswear prices dropping by 19% from €26 to €21, and sneaker prices falling by 9%.
To ease the financial burden, experts advise parents to plan ahead, shop smart by comparing prices and setting up price drop alerts, and consider buying second-hand textbooks or reusable school supplies.
Valencia Proposes Heavy Fines for Public Nudity
To improve the city’s appearance and maintain public order, the Valencia city government is planning to amend its “Coexistence Ordinance.” It proposes heavy fines for public nudity or wearing clothing that exposes genitalia in non-designated public areas like streets. According to the draft, fines could reach up to €3,000.
The proposal categorizes offenses into three levels: minor offenses with fines up to €750; serious offenses with fines ranging from €750 to €1,500; and very serious offenses with fines from €1,500 to €3,000.
The city government stated that this measure aims to address inappropriate behavior in some tourist hotspots and promote a tourism environment that is more respectful of the local community, rather than targeting tourists specifically. The ordinance is currently in the drafting and approval process.
Spanish Government to Tackle Temporary Employment in Public Sector
The Spanish government is developing new measures to address the long-standing issue of temporary employment in the public sector. Currently, there are over 900,000 temporary employees in Spain’s public administration, with about 200,000 of them officially recognized as being in “abusive temporary employment” for working more than three years.
This problem has persisted for over two decades and has drawn repeated attention from the European Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Union. To respond to EU pressure and regulate the labor market, the government plans to consult with the autonomous communities to establish an alert system that notifies management as temporary contracts approach the three-year mark. The government is also considering stricter penalties for non-compliant institutions or responsible individuals to curb the practice of long-term, consecutive temporary contracts.
Madrid Introduces Robot-Assisted Special Education in Ten Public Schools
The government of the Community of Madrid has announced it will expand a robot and AI-assisted education program to 10 public educational centers in the next academic year. The project is designed to support students with special educational needs, primarily targeting those with autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, or difficulties in motor, cognitive, or social skills.
The program uses social-assistive robots to interact with students. These robots are equipped with 3D cameras and various sensors, allowing them to adapt learning activities based on student responses. An AI system helps teachers and therapists select appropriate exercises to improve students’ language expression, physical coordination, and social-cognitive skills. The program was previously piloted successfully for eight months at one school, and its notable results led to the decision to expand it.
International Briefing: Updates from Portugal and Israel
Internationally, a citizens’ initiative in Portugal has proposed setting a maximum driving age of 75. Proponents argue that diminished reaction times in elderly drivers affect road safety. Currently, the initiative is still far from gathering the required number of signatures to be debated in parliament.
Meanwhile, Israel’s National Security Minister Ben-Gvir has drawn strong international criticism for his extremist remarks on a podcast, where he called for large-scale targeted killings in Gaza and made “dehumanizing” comments about parts of the population.
