Every beginning of the year brings a challenging task for parents: buying school supplies for their children, an activity that can be complicated, especially for those who depend on the public school system. To facilitate this step, the School Supplies Card was launched, an initiative that seeks to help families with children enrolled in public education. This card provides a specific amount for the purchase of school supplies.
In the Federal District, for example, this initiative has become a benchmark, showing positive results in both education and the local economy. With the School Material Card, you can give your children the resources they need for a good education, without much concern.
An encouraging fact is that several locations have adopted this measure. If you want to learn more about how this card can help in everyday life and its role in the educational and economic context, keep reading!
What is the school supplies card?
O School Supplies Card is an initiative designed to facilitate access to teaching materials necessary for educational development of students – being an important tool for social inclusion, as it serves those who often cannot afford these costs.
It works simply: the card is loaded with a government-defined amount, which can be used at stationery stores to purchase school supplies. This ensures that the materials used are aligned with the school curriculum.
The program's administration and updates are the responsibility of the relevant departments. In the Federal District, for example, the Department of Education is in constant communication with beneficiaries, answering any questions and providing information on deadlines and procedures for the benefit.
Who is entitled to the school supplies card?
This benefit is aimed at students enrolled in the public school system of the Federal District, including those who are beneficiaries of Brazil Aid, formerly known as Bolsa Família. The intention is to ensure that students from low-income families don't run out of the necessary materials to carry out their educational activities.
To receive the School Material Card benefit, the first requirement is that the student be enrolled in a public school in the Federal District. Parents or guardians must also be registered with federal government social programs, such as the aforementioned Auxílio Brasil program.
Regarding documentation, to ensure the process runs smoothly, it is necessary to present documents that prove the student's educational status and the family's participation in government social assistance programs.
An ID card, CPF, and proof of enrollment and residence are typically required. We recommend checking with the relevant department for all required documents to ensure you don't miss out on the opportunity to use your school supplies card.
How much is the school supplies card worth?
The benefit amount varies depending on the student's level of education and is calculated to ensure that essential school supplies are purchased.
It's important to note that the program offers different tuition rates that adapt to different stages of education. Let's now look at a list of the tuition rates assigned to each level:
- Early Childhood Education: R$ 320.00 per student;
- Elementary School: R$ 320.00 per student;
- High School: R$ 240.00 per student.
Please remember that these amounts (subject to change) are annual and intended to cover expenses for teaching materials for children and adolescents during the school year.
If you have more than one child studying, the amount accumulates, thus ensuring greater peace of mind when preparing each child for school.
How to use the school supplies card?
First of all, you need to know that the card can only be used in stationery stores accredited by Government of the Federal District, which ensures that participating establishments follow the rules and offer fair prices.
The Department of Education provides a list of school supplies that can be purchased, which is designed to meet the specific needs of each grade level, so remember to check the permitted items before you go shopping.
It is essential to follow this relationship because only then will the use of the amount be approved at the time of payment. Another point that deserves attention is the deadline for using the school supplies card, as there is a specific period, usually at the beginning of the school year, in which the benefit can be used.
Remember that the card is a way to ensure that educational materials reach those who truly need them, and therefore, it is strictly monitored to prevent misuse. If you are responsible and make your purchases within the stipulated limits, you will be contributing to the smooth running of the program and helping to maintain assistance for those in need.
What materials are on the list?
As you have seen, the materials on the list are carefully selected by the Department of Education, aiming to meet the educational needs of your child, whether in early childhood education, elementary school or high school.
To help you get organized, here's an example table with some permitted materials:
| Level of Education | Permitted Materials |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education | Colored pencils, crayons, sketchbook |
| Elementary School | Notebook, pencil, eraser, blunt scissors |
| High School | Ruler, compass, calculator, graphite pencil |
These are just examples; you can find the complete list at the Department of Education. By following this list, you even avoid the risk of having your payment declined at the stationery store, as only authorized materials can be purchased with the card.
When is the school supplies card paid?
Typically, the benefit payment schedule follows the start of the school year, but keep an eye on it, as dates may vary slightly depending on decisions made by the Federal District government.
To keep everyone well informed, payment updates are communicated clearly and easily, and can be made available through the official website of the Department of Education or the Brasília Agency. Other means include, of course, schools, which also usually announce the dates.
By the way, it's important to note that cards are distributed in batches to better organize delivery and use of the benefit. So, if you are a beneficiary, you will receive information about when and how to collect your card.
How CME works for families with more than one child
If you have more than one child enrolled in the public school system, the School Material Card (CME) brings good news: the card's values accumulate for each eligible child. This means that, for example, if you have two children enrolled, will receive the amount corresponding to each of them.
It's important to note that the Department of Education or the Federal District government itself manages the accumulated amount. Therefore, if you have three children at home, the amount you'll have available will be the sum of the individual amounts, as the CME also takes family size into account.
The registration process doesn't differ much for those with only one child; you'll need documents for all students and their parents or legal guardians, as well as up-to-date enrollment in the public school system.
It's worth mentioning that, in addition to the advantages the card offers when preparing your children for school, the CME also plays a role in economic development, as consumption is directed to local stationery stores.
Conclusion
Finally, you had the opportunity to learn more about the School Material Card, an essential tool for families in the Federal District who have children enrolled in the public school system.
Understanding how the card works, who the beneficiaries are, the amounts allocated for each level of education, and how to use it is essential to ensure your child is well equipped for the school year.
And now, with this information in hand, you're ready to take another step toward a brighter future for your children!
