In recent weeks, we have seen thousands of teachers fill the streets with slogans and banners demanding recognition for their work and a better education, and now new protests are being announced. The education sector has been suffering from deficiencies for years, which have ended up translating into strikes and demonstrations across the country.

Placing the child as the main protagonist of their learning, providing them with autonomy to foster curiosity and ability, claiming the natural environment and parental collaboration, and turning educators into simple guides of the process. These are some of the postulates of the educational model of the Reggio Emilia schools, in northern Italy, considered the best and most innovative in the world (even though they were founded after World War II).

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.

"Until". This preposition—and the different ways it's interpreted—is what prevented Maria and many of her classmates from continuing their studies this school year. In fact, the Generalitat's interpretation of this preposition has meant that, for some time now, students with disabilities have seen their time in special education centers shorter than they expected.