The back to school 2025/2026 will come with an important novelty in the classrooms of the Community of Madrid: those educational centers that are supported by public funds in the region will not allow the individual use of screens. This is stated in the decree that the regional government, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, approved a few days ago.
The ban on the use of these digital devices aims to find a balance between the acquisition of digital skills throughout different educational stages, while implementing a series of limitations that the regional government describes as “necessary”.
With this, they point out, the objective pursued is to “reduce the risks derived from the early, intensive or inadequate use of information technologies”.
Which students are affected by the measure and how?
The measure will affect more than 550,000 students in Pre-school and Primary Education. With its entry into force not only they will not be able to work individually with digital devices, but teachers will not be able to schedule homework or other evaluable tasks for which they have to use tablets, computers, cell phones or similar outside school hours.
Regarding the shared use between two or more children, it will be allowed as long as it complies with the following requirements:
- That it has a pedagogical purpose.
- It must be done under the supervision of teachers.
- There will be time limitations depending on ages and stages:
- First cycle of Infant Education (from 0 to 3 years old): they shall avoid contact with these devices.
- Second cycle of Infant Education (from 3 to 6 years old) and first two grades of Primary School: 1h/week.
- 3rd and 4th grades of Primary School: 1h 30’/week.
- 5th and 6th grades of Primary School: 2h/week.
What about ESO students?
In their case , it will be the different schools and institutes who will delimit the individual or shared use of tablets, computers and other devices depending on aspects such as “the characteristics of the teachings, the age and maturity level of their students”.
What are the exceptions?
- Students with specific support needs who require these devices (prior psycho-pedagogical report). They will be able to use them without restrictions.
- Optional subjects or programs in which they are essential to acquire specific competences.
Another new feature for the 2025/2026 academic year: ‘Open courtyards’.
With the ‘Patios abiertos’ initiative, starting next academic year, public schools in the region will open their playgrounds and libraries in the afternoons after school. In this way, these facilities will be available both to the students of the center itself and to other children of the same locality (even if they are not enrolled). All the details in this article.