Student strikes in secondary education: Yes or no, and how?

BarcelonaSince the start of this academic year, student unions have called for up to three days of strikes, which can be supported by students from the third year of secondary school (3º de ESO) onwards as collective absences. In other words, they have the right to strike as long as it is called by an organization, has the support of the majority of the student body, and each student has their family's authorization. These days, however, always generate some conflict both in schools and among families. Some families worry because the strike slows down the curriculum, while others worry because they must decide on and allow the strike at an age when it's not clear that all students are ready to understand the strike, its specific reasons, and its consequences. Antoni Navío, PhD in Pedagogy and Vice President of the Official College of Pedagogy of Catalonia, acknowledges that there are many differences in maturity and judgment in secondary school, and therefore, some students may be prepared while others may not. "The faculty knows this, which is why this standard has been set," he says, referring to the age limit of 14 as a "filter."

What should families and schools take into account?

However, Navío believes that other factors are more relevant than age when a strike is called, such as understanding the reasons behind it. Sometimes, "even the students themselves don't know why there's a strike," and the day ends up becoming just another holiday, since young people don't always participate in demonstrations or other protests. Furthermore, he points out that in recent times, the rise of social media has led students to discuss strikes based on rumors or with a complete lack of understanding of the protest's purpose. Navío also says that social media can lead to the dissemination of biased messages and objectives. Therefore, he believes it's necessary to discuss the reasons for the strike, allow young people to express their opinions, and, above all, help them understand the repercussions of their decision not only at school but also within their families, who shouldn't refrain from taking a stand in this matter.

What does the strike mean for the institute?

Apart from the delay in the subject, Navío acknowledges that sometimes strike calls are "another element of disenchantment" in educational centers with teams that see that their management is "overwhelmed" by these conflicts.

How to make people understand the impact?

Workers who participate in a strike are fully aware of the economic repercussions of their decision, but young people don't see the harm that missing classes can cause and may make the decision without realizing that it requires such action. That's why Navío insists that it's crucial to clearly explain how this affects their education and that while a single day might not seem serious, it does have an impact on certain periods of the school year. "There are times when strikes are called every two weeks," the educator exclaims. In these cases, the fact that teachers don't cover the material can cause delays in students' learning and leave curricula and programs unfinished, and Navío believes it's essential that secondary and high school students are aware of this.

What can students take away from a strike?

Aside from the subjects taught in high school classes, Navío points out that teachers also have the responsibility of shaping boys and girls into critical and responsible individuals. Therefore, despite being aware of the varying levels of maturity among students within the same class, Navío advocates focusing more on the opportunities than the risks. "Young people need to be aware of the war in Gaza and have a stance on it," Navío says, referring to one of the strikes called for this 2025-2026 school year.

How to take academic advantage of a strike?

Along the same lines of taking advantage of the opportunities presented by a strike, Navío believes that a suspension of classes and curriculum can be used to incorporate physical education into social studies. However, he acknowledges that teachers already have a very heavy workload and believes that families should play a more active role in this area, a role that is currently lacking due to decreased parental involvement in daily school life. In this regard, he laments that families tend to leave schools as children transition from primary to secondary school, resulting in a lack of parental presence. Consequently, decisions like these end up falling on teachers who already have other responsibilities and are under pressure to complete the planned curriculum.

And if the family does not authorize the strike, how is the conflict managed?

Navío argues that it's essential to have "the capacity and responsibility" to know your children, get involved, and discuss strikes at home. "Letting the young person make the decision to avoid conflict when we know they'll sleep in until noon on strike days isn't worth it," says Navío, who urges parents to "take a stand and engage in dialogue." She acknowledges that during adolescence this option can feel like "hitting a wall," but insists that it's necessary to help young people understand what striking entails and its purpose, while also highlighting the historical and ongoing value of these actions for the rights we have as a society and as a country.