Basque Cabinet approves grants for the reception of newly arrived students

Today, the Basque Cabinet approved the call for grant applications for state-subsidised private schools in the Basque Country. This funding will support the intake of newly-arrived students in the Basque Country outside the standard admissions period of the 2025-2026 academic year. The scheme has an initial budget allocation of €1,000,000.

These grants aim to provide state-subsidised private schools with additional resources when they enrol pupils joining the education system mid-year. This guarantees an adequate response to their educational needs while reinforcing the principle of equity that guides the Basque education system.

Basque Government Spokesperson Maria Ubarretxena explained that "the measure is part of the commitment to offer an inclusive and high-quality reception to all students, regardless of when they join the system".

Renewal of FM radio and digital terrestrial television licences

The Cabinet has given the green light to renew licences for FM radio and local digital terrestrial television (TDT) audiovisual communication services for a 15-year period.

These renewals fall under the framework of the agreement adopted by the Cabinet on 11 January 2011 to transform radio and television broadcasting service concessions into licences for the provision of audiovisual communication services, in accordance with the provisions of Law 7/2010 of 31 March (General Law on Audiovisual Communication).

Decree for the Basque Rural Development Network

Finally, the Governing Council approved the decree regulating the Basque Rural Development Network. Spokesperson Ubarretxena described it as "a new governance tool created to improve coordination, collaboration and knowledge exchange between the entities and agents involved in rural development in the Basque Country".

The decree sets out the structure, composition and functions of the Network, operationalising this shared workspace. The text also incorporates a focus on equality between women and men, ensuring that the Network's activity integrates a gender perspective and accounts for the distinct needs and opportunities within the rural environment.