John the Baptist C.S. is delighted that the School Books Scheme as announced by the Department of Education for Junior Cycle for the 2024/25 school year, will now extend to all Years and students in 2026/2027.
Information_for_Parents_Post-primary_Schoolbooks_Scheme_2026_2027
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Background
This scheme was introduced by Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and has been supported by subsequent Ministerse. 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 all years in post- primary schools in the Free Education Scheme can commence in each new school year in with the same schoolbooks and classroom resources as other children and young people in their class.
“Schoolbooks” includes all relevant schoolbooks, including eBooks. It also covers workbooks in use in the school to support teaching and subject learning. It also includes necessary additional texts such as novels and plays for English or books of past examination papers for all subjects. Funding for the scheme 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 students at the start of forthcoming school year.
What will be 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.
Collection of Books
1st and 5th Year students are offered an opportunity to collect their books prior to the new academic year beginning. Please note two boxes of books and materials will need to be collected. A text message will be sent home to all with times. Additional books, such as those for options and different levels, as well as additional stationary will be distributed to students on their return to school in due course.
Books and materials for all other years are distributed when students return to school during the school day.
In keeping with the purpose and sustainability of the scheme, students may receive a combination of new and previously used textbooks. All reusable books remain school property and should be treated with care.
Books from previous years
Parents/guardians should not purchase textbooks, workbooks or exam papers for the 2026/27 school year unless specifically advised to do so by the school.
- Any additional/extra new schoolbooks and core classroom resources required by students in all years are covered under the scheme
- 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
Care of the Books
Schoolbooks will be provided on loan to students for the duration of the 2026/27 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. Clear labelling is required to further reduce loss.
If a book is mislaid, the student must inform schoolbooks@johnthebaptistcs.ie by email immediately.
Students are expected to take reasonable care of all books and resources supplied. Where an item is lost or damaged beyond reasonable use, parents/guardians should contact the school. As Department funding for replacement items is limited, families may be asked to meet the cost of replacement.
We ask all parents/guardians and students to complete our Book Scheme Agreement Form at the start of every year, to remind all of the key features of the scheme and outline everyone’s responsibilities to ensure the scheme works well.
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
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 2026 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