Valencia launches reading program after low PISA scores
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María José Catalá, the mayor of Valencia, Spain, announced a new “Bono Lectura” (Reading Voucher) program during a city debate.
The program will offer financial support to families with children to encourage book purchases at local bookstores. This initiative follows disappointing results for Valencia’s students on the PISA assessment, which measured low performance in reading, math, and science.
The “Bono Lectura” builds on the success of previous “Bono Comercio” programs in Valencia, where consumers receive a voucher doubling their initial spending at local businesses. The city previously used similar vouchers to support commerce after the pandemic and during construction projects. City data shows Valencia has 107,475 residents under the age of 16, the intended audience for the new program. Catalá also presented other measures to improve education quality, including a curriculum reinforcement program and extended library hours.
Other countries, like Spain, Italy, and France, have implemented similar cultural support programs for young adults, offering financial assistance for cultural purchases. The city plans to collaborate with local bookstores to implement the “Bono Lectura,” aiming to foster a love of reading among children.
