Andorra starts school year with 10,940 pupils, financial education and a heat action plan

A total of 10,940 pupils started the 2026–2027 school year in Andorra on Wednesday, with a new financial education strategy, measures to address high temperatures in schools and the continued rollout of a plan for responsible technology use.

According to provisional government figures, 4,334 pupils are enrolled in the Andorran education system, 3,149 in the French system and 3,161 in the Spanish system, while the British school begins the year with 296 students.

The Minister of Institutional Relations, Education and Universities, Ladislau Baró, said the new school year would build on efforts to improve educational quality and adapt teaching to pedagogical, technological, social and environmental challenges.

School iPad use depends on security audit

One outstanding issue is the use of iPads in schools. The Ministry is awaiting the final results of an audit commissioned to assess their security. Baró said that if the report concludes the necessary safeguards cannot be guaranteed, the devices will not be used in schools.

Meanwhile, the Ministry will continue implementing its comprehensive plan for responsible technology use in education. This includes the gradual introduction of Chromebooks in secondary education and the rollout of school digital plans.

Work will also continue on the progressive introduction of artificial intelligence in classrooms, supported by teacher training and dedicated tools for staff and pupils. The Ministry is also developing an award for technological innovation in education and initiatives to assess technology’s impact on learning.

Learning to manage money and understand financial products

The new financial education strategy will initially focus on pupils in the fourth year of secondary education, or equivalent levels, and the first year of upper secondary education. This first phase will include workshops and shared learning materials coordinated by the Ministry.

Topics will cover money management, saving, financial planning, responsible consumption and digital payment systems. The aim is to introduce these subjects gradually across different educational levels, with activities tailored to each stage.

The initiative also seeks to strengthen critical thinking about financial products and services and give young people the tools to make informed financial decisions.

Protocols and temperature monitoring to tackle heat

The school year includes a plan to prevent and manage the effects of high temperatures in schools across the three education systems. Short-term measures will include establishing protocols, monitoring temperatures and creating a centralised incident register.

The assessment will help identify the most vulnerable spaces and prioritise measures such as sun protection, improved ventilation, shaded areas and drinking water points.

The Ministry will also consult the school community on how timetables and activities should be organised during the hottest periods. Any structural improvements deemed necessary will be planned through future education investment programmes.

Teaching model review and school evaluations

The Ministry will continue reviewing the Andorran school system’s curriculum, educational psychology framework, teaching methods and school organisation, with the aim of strengthening the coherence of its educational model.

This school year will also see further work on external and internal school evaluations to support improvement. Baró thanked school leadership teams, teachers and other professionals for their work, as well as families for their involvement in supporting pupils.