John the Baptist C.S. is delighted to introduce the New Free School Books Scheme as announced by the Department of Education from next September. For the 2024/25, school year all students in Junior Cycle years in the free education system will receive free schoolbooks and certain other resources. At present, this does not extend to Transition Year, Fifth and Sixth Year. If you would like to apply for support regarding books and resources for Senior Years, please see our page on the Book Grant Scheme: https://johnthebaptistcs.ie/book-grant-scheme/.

Background

This new scheme is being introduced by Minister for Education Norma Foley TD. It is in recognition of the cost of preparing children and young people for the return to school. The new scheme eliminates the cost to parents/guardians of providing schoolbooks and core classroom resources. The scheme will ensure equity of access, where all children and young people enrolled in Junior Cycle years in post- primary schools in the Free Education Scheme can commence the new school year in 2024/25 with the same schoolbooks and classroom resources as other children and young people in their class.

“Schoolbooks” includes all relevant schoolbooks, including eBooks at Junior Cycle level. It also covers workbooks in use in the school to support teaching and subject learning at Junior Cycle. It also includes necessary additional texts such as novels and plays for English or books of past Junior Cycle examination papers for all subjects. Funding for the scheme in 2024/25 is being provided directly to post-primary schools by the Department of Education. Schools now have responsibility for providing schoolbooks and core classroom resources to all Junior Cycle students at the start of forthcoming school year.

What will be covered:

	First Year 2024/2025	Second Year 2024/2025	Third Year 2024/2025
Textbooks	All text books, workbooks, novels provided	Retain books and classroom resources from previous year All additional/extra textbooks, workbooks, novels provided	Retain books and classroom resources from previous years All additional/extra textbooks, workbooks, novels provided Exam papers provided
Core Classroom Resources	All the following to be provided: School journal Hard back copies (as required) Soft back copies (1 per subject approx.) 1 scientific lab book 1 A4 Display folder 1 A4 pocket folder 1 Scientific calculator 1 log book 1 English dictionary 1 Irish dictionary Dictionaries as specified by language departments Please note that after students select their option subjects, further core resources may be provided as budget allows	All the following to be provided: School journal Hard back copies (as required) Soft back copies (1 per subject approx.) 1 scientific lab book 1 A4 Display folder Additionally, the following will be provided for option subjects: Book 1/2/3 for Business Studies Music manuscript book	All the following to be provided: School journal Hard back copies (as required) Soft back copies (1 per subject approx.) 1 scientific lab book 1 A4 Display folder Additionally, the following will be provided for option subjects: Book 1/2/3 for Business Studies Music manuscript book

What is not covered

The following is a breakdown of what the Free School Books Scheme Grant pays for:

• Textbooks
• Workbooks/Exam papers
• Core classroom resources

The Free School Books Grant also allows for the inclusion of additional resources as the budget allows. However, the provision beyond the core list is not possible due to funding. The Free School Books Scheme does not cover co-curricular or extracurricular activities such as school trips that may require payment. It does not cover the school annual contribution, which helps to pay for photocopying and school expenses. It also will not cover additional materials that may be needed for specific subjects such as ingredients for Home Economics.

Please see below regarding the replacement of books from previous years.

Books from previous years

Parents/Guardians of students starting Second and Third Year will have already purchased a significant amount of the schoolbooks and classroom resources required for Junior Cycle.

• Books purchased in First Year and Second Year should be retained by all students for the following academic year.
• Any additional/extra new schoolbooks and core classroom resources required by students in Second and Third year will now be covered under the new
• Please note that the scheme will only cover additional books for the coming year and will not cover the replacement of books/materials previously purchased in First and Second Year before the introduction of the scheme, such as those lost, damaged or mislaid.

Care of the Books

Schoolbooks will be provided on loan to students for the duration of the 2024/25 school year and must be returned to school. More details to follow.

All schoolbooks and core classroom resources provided under the new scheme will remain the property of the school, so that they can be reused in future years (where applicable). These books serve as valuable resources that support students’ ongoing learning and progression through the curriculum. All textbooks will be barcoded and it will be the responsibility of each student and their parents/guardians to take care of their books. Students are asked not to write on books, except for workbooks so that books can be use in coming years.

All books and classroom resources provided through the Free School Book Grant Scheme must be stored in a student’s locker or bag and not on shelves around the school. This policy is implemented to ensure the safety and security of the materials, reducing the risk of loss, damage, or misplacement. Students are responsible for ensuring that their books and materials are stored appropriately and securely at all times.

If a book is mislaid, the student must inform schoolbooks@johnthebaptistcs.ie by email immediately. The school may be able to replace the textbook but only if funding allows. This not guaranteed and the replacement cost may have to be borne by parents/guardians.

If a schoolbook is damaged beyond repair or missing at the end of their use and so cannot be used by another student, the student and their parents/guardians will be expected to replace the textbook at their own cost.

School Journal

As with previous years, the school journal will be provided free of charge to all students in all year groups. Replacement journals cost €10 and can be paid for through EasyPay.

Further information

Please note a full policy is being developed by the school and will be available shortly.

A detailed “Frequently Asked Questions” section of the website responding to questions is now available and will be updated regularly (please click link): https://johnthebaptistcs.ie/free-school-books-scheme-frequently-asked-questions/

Further details (if any) on what items parents/guardians may need to supply/pay for on the return to school in September 2024 will be communicated to parents/guardians by the school in due course.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact schoolbooks@johnthebaptistcs.ie.

 

Yours sincerely,

John the Baptist Community School

 

Letter for Parents & Guardians re Book Scheme