Zagreb - The 151-seat Parliament on Friday adopted the School Textbooks Act by 81 votes for to three against and 19 abstentions, after the draft legislation on this matter had strained the relations between partners in the ruling coalition in recent weeks.
The law moved by the HNS, a junior partner in the coalition, envisages lighter school bags and more digital learning as well as lower expenses for parents.
The parliamentary group of Zagreb mayor Milan Bandić's party asked that the law prescribe that the government would ensure funds for elementary school textbooks and that, based on the money available, it can decide to finance high school textbooks as well.
The government endorsed the party's amendment, revising it to ensure a viable and stable system by making the financed textbooks and other materials school property.