The abrupt change in name and image of one of Catalonia’s most prominent educational organizations could shift the balance of power in the region’s education sector. The Jaume Bofill Foundation, which for decades shaped the school policy agenda, has now officially become Equitat.org. This decision has already sparked lively debate among teachers, unions, and experts, as the old team and goals remain behind the new brand, but now with a renewed message.
As El Pais notes, Equitat.org continues to use the equality symbol as its logo, emphasizing the continuity of its mission. The organization remains focused on education, paying particular attention to research on school segregation and the problem of early school leaving. The foundation’s leadership explains that the new name is not just a rebranding, but an effort to clearly state its position in the fight for equal opportunities for all students.
Origins and development
The Jaume Bofill Foundation was founded in 1969 by Teresa Roca and Josep Maria Vilaseca. The organization was named after the philosopher and teacher Jaume Bofill, known for his openness to dialogue and who passed away in 1965. Initially, the foundation focused on research in migration, language, culture, and history, but since 2005 it has been entirely dedicated to educational issues.
In recent years, the foundation has evolved into both a research center and an influential player in Catalonia’s education policy. Among its projects are the Lecxit program, focused on developing reading skills, and the Alianzas Magnet initiative, which helps highly segregated schools change their situation. These initiatives have received wide recognition among experts, though they have not been without criticism.
Criticism and controversy
Despite its successes, Equitat.org has frequently faced sharp criticism from education unions. The main concerns revolve around suspected funding from major economic entities such as La Caixa, as well as its influence on the Catalonian Department of Education during the period when ERC representatives held key positions. Questions intensified after former foundation project leader Joan Cuevas was appointed Director of Innovation and Digitalization at the department.
Unions argue that such appointments and close ties to authorities could lead to lobbying for certain groups’ interests rather than the objective development of the education system. Meanwhile, foundation representatives claim that their work has always been aimed at increasing equity and educational quality for all social groups.
Reaction and consequences
The renaming of the foundation to Equitat.org has sparked fresh discussions about transparency and independence of educational organizations in Catalonia. Some experts believe the name change is an attempt to distance from previous conflicts and refresh its reputation. Others, by contrast, see this step as a continuation of the same course, but with a new focus on equality and inclusivity.
According to El Pais, despite the new name, Equitat.org does not plan to change its main areas of work. The organization will continue to analyze issues of school segregation, develop new educational programs, and influence policy-making in the education sector. In the coming months, new studies and initiatives are expected to be launched, which may again spark debate among stakeholders in education.
In recent years, Spain has already seen similar cases where major non-profit organizations changed their names or structures to highlight new priorities or move away from previous associations. For example, several research centers in Madrid and Barcelona also underwent rebranding to strengthen their focus on social justice or inclusivity. Such changes are often met with criticism from the professional community, but in a number of cases lead to updated programs and greater influence on public policy.
