Let's fix things through education
Wednesday's strike saw widespread participation in defense of education. The strike was well-attended, drawing more protesters than, for example, the previous weekend's demonstrations against the commuter rail crisis. Teachers took to the streets to express a long-standing and seemingly entrenched discontent. Paradoxically, the Catalan government not only showed understanding but also agreed with the teachers' demands: "From the Department of Education, we understand and share the demands to strengthen the education system, and we remain committed to dialogue with the unions to reach a social agreement that will allow us to contribute to the improvement of education in our country," said the Minister.
What demands? With particular emphasis on the lack of human resources as a cross-cutting issue, the protest has focused on demands for salary increases, reduced class sizes, greater resources for inclusive education, and denounced bureaucratic red tape. In reality, the diagnosis is widely shared. There is also a consensus on the urgent need to face the reconstruction with courage and responsibility. Professionals, families, civil society, unions, and the political world agree. Continuing with such a tense atmosphere leads nowhere. And yet, turning the page and entering a phase of commitment and ambition will not be easy: daily life in schools has long been strained. Reversing this situation is a priority. The question is how.
Of course, part of the solution is to increase resources, something that, naturally, is never easy. But ultimately, money—in this area as in any other—solves everything. It is also essential to foster an atmosphere of trust and collaboration: between teachers and administration, between different educational perspectives, and between teachers and families. At some point, we will have to set aside the focus on grievances, however justified they may be, and everyone must roll up their sleeves with the common goal of raising the bar for educational ambition and focusing together on the learning of boys and girls, and therefore, on truly educational debates. This is an area where humility is advisable because no one—neither here nor in the most advanced countries—has a magic wand. In any case, among other measures, more teacher training, greater autonomy for schools, and better conditions for staff in high-complexity secondary and primary schools are necessary.
The strike was successful and forcefully expressed a perfectly diagnosed discontent. It has given the unions considerable bargaining power, and, given the government's response, they are likely to make progress on their demands. But sooner rather than later, they will have to work together: this cannot continue. in aeternum The level of tension that has taken hold in the educational environment is unacceptable. Everyone, starting with the children and teenagers, is suffering. We can no longer postpone finding a way out of this impasse.