Extremadura expands extracurricular English grants with synchronous online classes

The Governing Council of the Junta de Extremadura has approved Decree 159/2026, of September 1, which modifies the regulatory bases for grants for the study of English during extracurricular hours in accredited language centers, aimed at students of Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO) enrolled in centers supported by public funds in the community. The regulation is published in the Official Gazette of Extremadura number 173, of September 7, 2026, and will enter into force the day following its publication.

The reform is based on the experience accumulated since the approval of Decree 94/2024, of July 30, which established the bases and the first call for the 2024/2025 academic year. The stated objective is to reinforce equal opportunities in education, so that the initial social or cultural disadvantage of some students does not turn into educational inequality.

Synchronous online classes to close the rural-urban gap

The main novelty is the expansion of the methods for delivering non-regulated training, which may now be carried out under two modalities:

• In-person classes, in accredited language centers.
• Synchronous online classes, understood as live teaching in which teachers and students connect simultaneously via the internet, with real-time interaction through videoconferences, forums, and chats, simulating the dynamics of a physical classroom from different locations.

The measure responds to the challenge of territorial dispersion and the low population density of Extremadura, which hinders access to education under equal conditions. According to the statement of reasons, the online modality guarantees that the residence of students in rural or dispersed areas does not determine their level of linguistic competence, and also facilitates the reconciliation of family and work life by eliminating mandatory travel.

Income thresholds updated according to the CPI

The decree updates the maximum family unit income amounts required to access the aid, which may be revised in each call based on the variation of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the immediately preceding year. The new thresholds are:

• 1-member families: €8,992.20.
• 2-member families: €13,487.23.
• 3-member families: €17,983.33.
• 4-member families: €22,479.43.
• 5-member families: €26,076.52.
• 6-member families: €29,672.55.
• 7-member families: €33,269.64.
• 8-member families: €36,866.74.
• From the 8th member onwards, €3,597.09 will be added for each new computable member.

Preferential electronic processing through Rayuela

The reform also modifies the method of submitting applications, which shall be carried out preferably electronically through the Rayuela educational platform (https://rayuela.educarex.es), without prejudice to submission via the general electronic access point of the Junta or in person. The application must be accompanied, among other documents, by the collective census certificate (certificado de empadronamiento colectivo), the certificate from the accredited language center, and the authorization for the verification of the family unit’s tax obligations.

The regulation, promoted by the Counselor of Education and Vocational Training, Sandra Victoria Valencia Ramos, and signed by the President of the Junta de Extremadura, María Guardiola Martín, will apply only to the granting procedures initiated after its entry into force. With this update, thousands of Extremaduran families with children in ESO (Compulsory Secondary Education) will be able to access complementary training in English without their place of residence or family income conditioning their linguistic competence.

Source: Official Gazette of Extremadura, number 173, September 7, 2026, section I (General Provisions) (official reference: 2026040202).