Students from Valls protest because the teachers' strike endangers their graduation party
The students of the Narcís Oller Institute support the demands, but regret that it harms them more than Education
BarcelonaThe 4th year ESO students from the Narcís Oller Institute in Valls are confronting the teaching staff with protests outside the school and absence from classes for a significant part of the academic year. The reason? The teachers' decision to stop organizing non-academic activities as part of a work-to-rule strike approved by over 80% of the faculty. This measure has been implemented by the teaching collective throughout Catalonia to demand a new agreement for labor and salary improvements from the Department of Education. Consequently, around eighty young people have expressed their discontent at the school gates this week with posters, graffiti, and slogans.
The protest began on Monday with students from various year groups, but it has increasingly concentrated among 4th year ESO students, who mobilized again this Tuesday to denounce that the teachers' decision implies the suspension of non-academic activities such as school trips, cultural outings, and graduation parties. However, the management team points out that the main trigger for the students' discontent is that this year the teachers will not organize the graduation party, a celebration that can go ahead if families take it on, they emphasize.
In fact, the director of the Narcís Oller Institute, Albert Dexeus, has stated in declarations to the ACN that the strike was approved by more than 80% of the faculty and is not directed against the students. "Some families understand it as a strike against the students when in no case is it that. I understand that all decisions made affect the students, it is inevitable and we regret it. But I believe that the demands have not been understood and they have not valued what has been done so far," he remarked.
As Dexeus explained, with the exception of the 4th year ESO students, the activity is proceeding normally among the institute's 1,100 students. He also stressed that all non-academic activities that were already planned in advance will take place.
"Loss of unique memories and moments"
In a statement published on social media, students have expressed support for the teachers' demands, but have criticized the impact of the strike, which they consider to fall mainly on them and not on the department. "We are aware of the need for this struggle, but it is a decision that mainly impacts students, while having a limited repercussion on the responsible administration," they pointed out.
For its part, the school's AFFA has stated that the cancellation of outings, activities, and graduations means "the loss of experiences, memories, and unique moments in the educational stage of the children."
At the school gates, banners in favor of public education could be seen, as well as other critical messages such as "Management resignation," "We are not your shield," "We are not a bargaining chip," or "Students should not be the ones to bear the consequences of a conflict they have not generated."
