Everything you need to know about the new school year

The start of classes in Catalonia is fast approaching. We review the key dates for the 2025-2026 school year, which is marked by a significant drop in student numbers in the region's schools and secondary schools and a complete ban on cell phones in classrooms.

Start of classes

It will be the September 8th when students in early childhood education, primary education, compulsory secondary education (ESO) and basic vocational training cycles return to the classrooms. As for high school, in intermediate and higher vocational training (FP) cycles and in vocational training specialization courses, classes will begin on September 12.

This day will also mark the start of specific training programs, training and integration programs, the preparatory training course for access to intermediate-level vocational training courses, the preparatory training course for access to advanced-level vocational training courses, and intermediate-level vocational training courses in fine arts and design. As for adult education courses and official language schools, students will return on September 22nd at the latest.

Holidays

This year's school calendar schedules the Christmas holidays between December 20, 2025, and January 7, 2026, inclusive. Easter will fall between March 28 and April 6 (also inclusive). Classes will end on June 19, 2026, for early childhood education (ages 3 to 6), primary education, secondary education, the first year of high school, and basic vocational training. For early childhood education for ages 0 to 3, school activities in the Generalitat's daycare centers end on the last working day of June.

A school year with 30,000 fewer students

The drop in the birth rate has meant that this school year that begins have 30,956 fewer students. Specifically, the Education Ministry has had to close 83 groups in Pre-Primary Education (E3) and 1st year of Secondary Education (ESO) across public and state-subsidized schools. Regarding I3, it is expected that 1,252 fewer children will start school in the 2025-2026 academic year than the previous year. And in ESO, there are expected to be 5,194 fewer students in 1st year, a reality that will translate into the disappearance of 58 groups this year in the public system, where a total of 1,897 groups will be offered. Groups in the state-subsidized system are also expected to close: the Ministry of Education plans to withdraw the subsidy from 99 groups so that they do not reach the minimum number of students necessary to keep a classroom open. The plan is to close 51 groups in pre-primary education (I3 to I5), 40 in primary education (I to 6), and 8 in ESO.

Mobile phones are strictly prohibited.

As announced by the Minister of Education, Esther Niubó, in mid-June, Smart phones and watches are completely banned in schools and colleges. Starting that year, no student enrolled in compulsory education will be able to use devices in the classroom or at school. Although it was already prohibited in schools and restricted to specific educational activities in high schools, mobile phone use is now prohibited in any situation. However, it remains to be seen how this ban will be managed in schools that combine compulsory secondary education with higher levels, such as high school and vocational training, which are exempt from the ban because they are post-compulsory education.