The selectivity examiners in the Valencian Country threaten to resign if there is no agreement with the government

ValenciaThe Assembly of Correcting Teachers of the PAU Exams of the Valencian Country, comprising 250 teachers, has announced that it is considering not appearing for the constitution of the tribunals for the university access exams, resigning en bloc on the day they are formed – June 2nd – or adopting "more forceful" actions regarding the qualifications. The announcement coincided with a new meeting between the Generalitat and the unions to try to put an end to an indefinite strike that has entered its third week and on Tuesday had a 16% follow-up. Despite the duration of the protest, the meeting only served to advance in the reduction of bureaucracy.

In a statement, the assembly, constituted in view of what they describe as an "stalemate in negotiations," reproaches the Ministry of Education for not having shown "minimal flexibility" in attending to the improvements demanded by the teaching staff. Specifically, it criticizes that it has not shown "genuine concern" for the "exorbitant" ratios, the persistence of unconsolidated classrooms, the carrying out of unpaid tutorials, the existence of "burnt-out teachers" due to bureaucratic procedures, the "disregard for Valencian" and the suppression of groups in the artistic specialty.

The collective also criticizes "the silence" and the "scant solidarity" from the five public universities of Valencia, which in their opinion have only shown "lukewarm support" and only from some departments and faculties. They demand "genuine institutional support" and "sincere support" for the present and future students from whom the majority of Valencian universities are fed. The text concludes that in no case do they wish to harm the future of the students or their families, but that, due to "the lukewarm response from the universities," they are forced to take these measures.

Union breakdown

The announcement comes the day after the ANPE and CSIF unions accepted the latest salary increase proposal presented by the ministry. The offer foresees a rise of 200 euros per month over two years with a review clause for the last year linking it to the CPI. STEPV, UGT, and CCOO – the majority unions, which together represent 70% of the representation – continue to consider the offer "insufficient". It should be noted that in the public sector, legislation only obliges the administration to negotiate, and allows it to reach agreements with minority unions. This is not the case in the private sector, where an agreement must be signed with a union majority.

After reading the statement, the regional secretary for Universities, Esther Gómez, wanted to convey a message of "tranquility" to the students and guaranteed that the tests will be carried out under "normal conditions" thanks to the minimum services approved for the educational strike and by calling upon, if necessary, professors who are on reserve.

Approximation in the simplification of bureaucracy

Regarding progress on initiatives to reduce bureaucracy, the ministry has presented a plan with nineteen measures. One of the most important is the drafting and approval of a decree for administrative simplification that will incorporate a review of bureaucratic burdens. The Generalitat has also committed to simplifying official documents for student evaluation, integrating various existing platforms, reducing the procedures for tutoring, and promoting teleworking during non-teaching periods and for meetings such as school councils.

On the other hand, no progress has been made in reducing ratios or in salary increases. Furthermore, the negotiation for expanding staff to address diversity, reinforcing the use of Valencian, and improving infrastructure has been postponed to this Wednesday. However, regarding equipment, Education has advanced a disbursement of almost 373 million euros and a plan to improve classroom air conditioning.