Back to school costs 500 euros just for enrollment: "The iPad was cheaper, but I prefer to pay for books"

A mother from Madrid recounts spending around 500 euros just on school supplies for her son starting first year of secondary school at a state-funded private school, including 300 euros on books, 90 euros for a materials fee, and 30 euros for physical education uniform. The school decided to abandon the use of iPads that had been implemented during primary school, a decision applauded by families, who never fully trusted learning that was exclusively digital. The mother prefers to pay for paper books even considering the digital option to be more economical.

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