Schools begin closing due to the teachers' strike: "We want people to know what's happening in the classroom"

BarcelonaThe teachers' strike called for this Wednesday is already underway. This afternoon, the first sit-ins began at schools and institutes across the country. At the moment, and with more than twelve hours still to go before the official start date, protests are already taking place at a dozen public schools in Catalonia. One example is the Consol Ferré school in Amposta, where about twenty teachers have gathered for a meeting and to prepare banners for tomorrow's demonstrations. "This time, teachers and administrators are all united," says Agustí Zaera, a teacher at the Soriano Montagut school in Amposta. He asserts that after 18 years in the classroom, "I've never seen so much activity" and believes that Wednesday's strike could be historic. "Things are very crowded, and we want society to be aware of what's happening in the classrooms. The quality of education is declining every day, and we, who are there day after day, are the ones who truly experience it," he criticizes.

In the case of this school, they don't plan to spend the night. However, in Tortosa, teachers from several schools in the area will be spending the night at the El Temple school. "We've tried to ensure that all the schools are working together on any actions we take," Zaera explains.

What are the teachers asking for?

"We have four very clear demands, but ultimately the most important is that public schools be provided with the human resources they need," Zarea points out. In this regard, the unions that have jointly called for the mobilization—Ustec, Aspepc, CCOO, CGT, and UGT—insist that "the issue of salary is a red line." In fact, the Ministry of Education has already announced that has a proposal ready to improve the economic conditions of teachersBut they haven't yet specified the details.

They also explain that they are demanding a reduction in class sizes—this year there are still many secondary school classrooms with around thirty students per group—and an "injection" of resources for inclusive education, where there is still a shortage of staff to support students with special needs. Furthermore, they are also asking for a reduction in bureaucracy and a "consensual" educational curriculum.

How will they mobilize?

Beyond the sit-ins that began Tuesday afternoon, unions anticipate pickets at many schools and institutes on Wednesday, and that, in general, despite maintaining minimum services, classes will not be held in most educational centers. They also warned that they will organize road blockades and slow marches on several roads and highways in Catalonia from early morning, although they did not specify which locations would be affected. The major mobilizations, however, will take place at midday, with demonstrations planned in the country's main cities. In Barcelona, ​​a demonstration has been called for 12:30 pm, marching from Jardinets de Gràcia to the Department of Education on Via Augusta. Prior to this, several groups of teachers will form, departing from schools located throughout the city and converging on the demonstration point. In Girona, the demonstration will take place at 12:00 pm at the Pont del Dimoni (Devil's Bridge). In Lleida it will be at 12:30 pm in Plaça Ricard Vinyes and in Tarragona, at 11:30 am in Plaça Imperial Tarraco.

What does the government say?

Although the unions claim that the Education Department is not engaged in genuine negotiations with the unions, sources within the department insist that the government "remains at the negotiating table and is committed to reaching agreements to improve the working conditions of teachers and educational support staff." The government maintains that it has prepared a proposal to improve working conditions "which it hopes to begin discussing at the sectoral bargaining table." Furthermore, they assert that the department "already has a proposal ready" to improve the specific supplement—the remuneration given for particular job conditions such as technical difficulty, level of dedication, responsibility, incompatibility, or hazardousness. However, the Education Department has not yet specified exactly what this will entail and admits that it will be contingent on the government's budget situation, as the current budget remains extended.

Furthermore, the Catalan government also asserts that its proposal "aims to address the historical underfunding of the educational support staff (PAE)" and that the document also includes reduced student-teacher ratios, progress in streamlining procedures, and increased resources for inclusive education and recognition.

What minimum services are included?

The Catalan government has established minimum service requirements of one teacher for every three classrooms in preschool, primary, and secondary schools, and 33% of the staff in daycare centers. For special education centers, at least 50% of the staff must be working. Furthermore, all centers must have at least one member of the management team present.