The school stage from 0 to 3 years of age will be one hundred percent subsidised in the 12 public “escoletes” of Palma in the 2023-24 school year, from 8.30 am to 3 pm. Snacks and meals will be included

The mayor of Palma, José Hila, recalled that the city council has already begun this year to implement free schooling for the 2 and 3 year-olds for four hours. The measure has benefited 500 families at a time of high inflation.

“We have to think about next year and we are going a step further by extending it to the rest of the age groups,” explained Hila.

Morning and afternoon school, at a reduced price

According to the mayor, this decision will benefit the 948 children who attend all the nursery schools in Palma. The “escola matinera”, from 7.30am to 8.30am, and the afternoon section from 3pm to 4.30pm, will have a maximum reduced price of 30 and 40 euros, respectively. This will be adapted according to the degree of vulnerability of the family.

As for the complementary network, the non-municipal centres receive the so-called school voucher for 450,000 euros, according to the City Council. The only cost for families will be the start-up fee of 155 euros.

The “escola matinera” and the afternoon service will be paid monthly, and the bonuses will be applied to vulnerable families. Large families and single-parent families will receive a 50% discount on the morning and afternoon school, and victims of gender violence will receive a 25% discount.

The Minister of Education, Martí March, has announced that the government will increase the number of nursery school places in Palma by 270, with four new centres. The investment is 240,000 euros and an extra 1,024,000 euros for maintenance. March explained that the cost of financing the 0-3 stage will reach 4,680,000 euros by 2026.