"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 the school year, and also the unions' final warning to the Government that the resumption of classes in September could be just as turbulent if an agreement is not reached. Thousands of teachers and professors took to the streets again 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 the families responded. The Passeig de Gràcia was filled not only with banners and yellow t-shirts, but also with fathers, mothers, and sons and daughters in strollers, under umbrellas —to protect themselves from the sun— or applying sunscreen. Many, like Núria's family, took refuge in the shade of the trees, on the edges. "Today is the day to support them and demand respect and quality for public schools. We must ask the Government to make a clear and firm commitment and show respect for the teams, for the teaching staff, and for 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 stage.

Oriol came with a group of parents and the 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 for 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-to-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 —says this mother—. We need resources, resources, and more resources. Undeniably, we need decent salaries, fewer students in classrooms, more specialists, and less bureaucracy. All their demands 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." At the same time, this mother considers that resources must provide "more pedagogical depth, more criteria in the 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 there is as much music in English and Spanish as in Catalan and no one sees it as a problem," she states.

The demonstration began at half past 11 am in the Jardinets de Gràcia and the yellow tide flowed down Passeig de Gràcia to Plaça Catalunya, where around one in the afternoon the speeches that closed the march were given. The protest proceeded without incident, in a festive atmosphere and amidst shouts and chants against the Government and in favor 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 protests, and has been called by the unions opposed to the agreement, which was finally rejected, 10 days ago, namely USTEC, CGT, CNT and COS. Affac, social groups and representatives of ERC, CUP and Comuns have also joined. According to the organizers, the mobilization brought together about 25,000 people, but the Guàrdia Urbana has lowered the figure to 7,000.

September with more strikes

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

For their part, the 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 the train lines, for tourism macro-projects and for the Mossos, there must also be for public education". From Intersindical, the spokesperson, Marc Martorell, also insisted on the importance of family support: "It's not just about our working conditions", they maintain from 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 plans to hold the educational assembly of Catalonia, which should serve to decide the roadmap for the next course, set priorities and strategy, and also define the new schedule of strikes and mobilizations if they consider it necessary. Unions place issues they consider "key" at the center of the debate, such as the role of Catalan, inclusion, the reduction of ratios, and the increase of 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 selectivity exams. A demonstration was held in Barcelona between Plaça Espanya and the Parliament that brought together 6,500 people according to the Guardia Urbana and 45,000 according to the organizers.