"Supporting teachers is asking for a better future for our children": the last great mobilization of the school year

BarcelonaThis Sunday's event was the last major mobilization of teachers before the end of this school year, and also the unions' final warning to the Government that the resumption of classes in September could be just as tumultuous if an agreement is not reached. Thousands of teachers and professors once again took to the streets this morning in Barcelona to force "a change in public education." This time, moreover, they had another objective: to show that they have the support of families and society.

And families have responded. The Passeig de Gràcia was filled not only with banners and yellow t-shirts, but also with fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, with strollers, under umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun and applying sunscreen. Many, like Núria's family, took refuge in the shade of the trees, on the margins. "Today is the day to support them and to demand respect and quality for public school. We must ask the Government to make a clear and firm commitment and show respect for the teams, the teaching staff, and the families who are also part of the educational project," claims Núria, who came with her partner and her daughter, who is still in the 0-3 age group.

Oriol came with a group of parents and children. "Supporting them is asking for a better future for our children," he assures. Many teachers also took the opportunity to come with their own families. This is the case of Anna and Sílvia, who explain that for them, as teachers, there is "a clear background of labor rights," but as families they feel that "the lack of resources is also experienced day by day" by their children and they want to change it. Aina and her family also came to support the teachers: "We wish there were even more families," this mother values. "Resources, resources, and more resources are needed. Undoubtedly, decent salaries are needed, fewer students in classrooms, more specialists, less bureaucracy. All the demands they make seem legitimate to me, and we are by their side because they have been losing salary for many days for the sake of the children of Catalonia," values Aina. At the same time, this mother considers that resources must provide "more pedagogical depth, more critical thinking in classrooms, and a more critical perspective." "It cannot be that we receive emails with spelling mistakes, we cannot have teachers in the classroom who are afraid of mathematics, or that at an end-of-year party so much music in English and Spanish is played as in Catalan and no one sees it as a problem," she states.

The demonstration began at half past 11am, at the Jardinets de Gràcia and the yellow tide flowed down Passeig de Gràcia to Plaça de Catalunya, where around one in the afternoon speeches were given which marked the end of the march. The protest proceeded without incident, in a festive atmosphere and amidst shouts and chants against the Government and in favour of schools, lower ratios and the improvement of inclusive education. "By fighting we are also educating," the teachers claim from the microphones.

This latest mobilization comes after 25 days of protest, and has been called by the unions contrary to the agreement that was finally rejected, 10 days ago, namely USTEC, CGT, CNT, COS. The aFFaC, social groups and representatives of ERC, CUP and Comuns have also joined. According to the organizers, the mobilization brought together around 25,000 people, but the Guàrdia Urbana has lowered the figure to 7,000.

September with more strikes

Union representatives already warned on Friday that if they do not feel heard by the executive, and specifically by the department headed by minister Esther Niubó —whose resignation they have again requested today— next year will start with more strikes and more protests in the streets. From USTEC, its spokesperson, David Caño, assured that "education has hit rock bottom", and recalled that the sector receives only 3%, half of the funding stipulated by law (6% of GDP). Caño also calls for a new law for the sector in Catalonia.

For their part, CGT delegate Ingrid Chavarria made a social appeal: "We need everyone to defend the society we deserve, because education is the future of the country", she remarked, adding that "if there is money to expand the airport and train lines, for tourism macro-projects and for the Mossos, there must also be for public education". From La Intersindical, spokesperson Marc Martorell also insisted on the importance of family support: "It's not just about our working conditions", they maintain from La Intersindical.

20-J: another key date

Today's is the last mobilization of the course, but there is still another key date, June 20th. On this day, the educational sector has scheduled the educational assembly of Catalonia, which will serve to decide the roadmap for the next course, mark priorities and strategy, and also define the new calendar of strikes and mobilizations if they deem it necessary. At the center of the debate, the unions place issues they consider "key" such as the role of Catalan, inclusion, the reduction of ratios, and the increase in the educational budget.

The last strike took place last Tuesday, coinciding with the arrival of Pope Leo XIV in Barcelona and the start of the university entrance exams. A demonstration was held in Barcelona between Plaça Espanya and the Parliament that gathered 6,500 people according to the Guardia Urbana and 45,000 according to the organizers.