An exemplary victory for the right to education
Education is a key tool, not only for improving one's professional future, but also for individual and social growth. It's not only a mechanism for transmitting knowledge, it's also a tool for training citizens who participate and collaborate in building the country's common project. That's why it's a right here, and there's a public network to guarantee it. And that's why it's logical that Maria, seven of her classmates, and their families have fought to guarantee it for as long as possible. Logical, but no less brave or extraordinary. Maria, who suffers from autism spectrum disorder, wanted to fight with her classmates and families for their right to remain in a special education center for as long as possible, and a ruling by the High Court of Justice of Catalonia has ruled in their favor.
The key to the issue is the expression "until." The Spanish Organic Law on Education and the Catalan decree that implements it establish that "in special education centers, students may be enrolled until the age of 21." But the government interpreted this in such a way that if a student had to turn 21 during the year in which a school year ended, they were already excluded. In some cases, this affected 19-year-olds. After unsuccessful complaints and requests, the eight families took the case to court and ultimately won.
It may seem like a small victory, but it isn't for the students in special education centers, who will be able to continue learning and developing with the help of professionals for longer. It is also an exemplary victory. María, her classmates, and their families value education enough to fight to maintain and improve it and, therefore, should be an example for society at large.
The government has reacted appropriately to the ruling. Although it only applies to the eight students who brought the case to court, it understood that it set a precedent, and starting next year, the Ministry of Education will offer families the option of allowing students to study "until the last day of their 21st birthday." However, it also warns that this means there will be fewer places available for new students, especially next year. And this is a problem that the government itself should address and solve as soon as possible. Guaranteeing the rights of some young people cannot harm others.
Maria's father—who is also the lawyer who handled the case—Pablo Feu, complains that when their educational years end, "a period that feels more like an asylum than a development" often begins for these young people. However, they are not disposable pieces of our society; they are members, and we should find a way, beyond the foundations set up by families of those affected, to ensure this does not happen. This is also another pending challenge that we must address as a society.