A heated debate has erupted in Catalonia over the future of private online education. New regulations proposed to govern this sector could reshape the established order for thousands of students and teachers. The question of where and how final exams should be held has sparked serious disagreements among educational institutions, unions, and authorities. According to El Pais, the decision made at the meeting of the Catalonia Education Council could impact the entire vocational training system in the region and beyond.
Exams and new requirements
The main change is a mandatory rule that final exams for students of private online courses must be held exclusively in Catalonia. Previously, students could take exams in various cities across the country, or even in hotels, making the process more flexible. Now, if the proposal is approved, all exams will have to be taken in person and specifically in Catalonia. This decision has drawn criticism from educational centers that accept students from all over Spain.
Another important provision is the reduction of the maximum number of students per teacher. Currently, one teacher may be responsible for up to 90 students, but the new standard lowers this to 75, and for specialized courses, to 30. Unions believe these changes will help improve education quality and lighten the workload for educators. However, representatives of private centers are concerned this could increase costs and reduce access to education.
Debates and positions of the parties
The discussion of the project was marked by heated debates. Representatives of the Catalonia Department of Education, who make up a significant part of the Council, abstained from voting, which came as a surprise to many participants. As a result, the decision was passed by a narrow margin, with opinions almost evenly split. According to El Pais, families of students and unions were actively advocating for the preservation of strict exam requirements and greater transparency in the operations of private centers.
During the discussion, amendments were introduced allowing educational institutions from other regions to conduct exams in Catalonia if they wish. Proposals were also adopted requiring the publication of information about the management, teaching staff, and funding of private centers. Such organizations must now submit annual reports on their performance, student satisfaction, and graduate employment rates.
Details of the changes
The document discussed at the Council introduced additional requirements: exams can now be held even during holiday periods such as Christmas or Easter. It was also established that instruction must be conducted in Catalan, and separate funding is provided for the public online center Institut Obert de Catalunya. All these measures are aimed at improving transparency and the quality of education in the region.
The vote on the draft demonstrated how pressing the issue of regulating private online education is. The final decision was supported by 23 Council members, while 14 opposed it and 13 abstained. The Council chair noted that the discussion was intense but constructive, and emphasized the importance of dialogue among all stakeholders.
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly seen debates over the regulation of distance education. In 2024, similar discussions took place in Madrid, focusing on standards for online courses and accreditation requirements for instructors. At that time, authorities also insisted on in-person exams and transparency in the operations of private centers. Such changes reflect a growing interest in the quality and accessibility of education amid digitalization and the increasing number of students choosing remote formats.
