Video: @salvadorilla / X
Textbooks to Return to Classrooms
Salvador Illa, President of the Generalitat de Catalunya, has called for the reintroduction of printed textbooks in classrooms across the region. Speaking at the closing of the event 'Protecting childhood. Let's turn off screens, open books' in Barcelona on Tuesday 22 September 2026, Illa argued that physical books support better learning outcomes and concentration among students.
A Regional Model for Digital Well-being
Illa announced plans for Catalonia to become the first autonomous community in Spain to implement specific regulation on digital well-being for children and adolescents. The proposed framework draws on the Generalitat’s existing Charter for Digital Rights and Responsibilities and aims to establish clear guidelines on screen use in schools and homes.
The initiative aligns with World Health Organization recommendations on limiting screen exposure for young people. A WHO report on public health in Catalonia highlighted growing concerns over digital addiction and its impact on mental health and sleep patterns in children.
We want to be the first autonomous community in Spain with binding regulation in this area.
Next Steps for Schools and Families
- The Department of Education will work with schools to phase in textbook-based teaching starting in the 2027–2028 academic year.
- Guidelines for digital disconnection, already applied in workplaces via the Labour Department’s policy, will be adapted for educational settings.
- A public awareness campaign targeting parents and caregivers will launch in October 2026.
Primary sources: Generalitat de Catalunya, who.int. Reported by Europa Press Barcelona.
