The Catalan authorities’ decision not to revise the terms of the recently signed education agreement directly affects thousands of teachers and parents in the region. Amid the ongoing conflict between unions and the government, hopes for changes have given way to disappointment: Education Minister Esther Niubó made it clear that the agreement will not be renegotiated. This statement came against a backdrop of continuing protests and the threat of new strikes, which could impact the stability of the upcoming school year.
As El Pais notes, Esther Niubó’s return to work after a two-month absence due to illness was seen by many as an opportunity for dialogue and potential concessions. However, the minister immediately took a tough stance: the authorities intend to implement, not revise, the existing agreement. Just hours before meeting with the largest union, Ustec, she stressed that she was willing to listen to suggestions but not to discuss renegotiating the terms. This drew criticism from representatives of the education community, who argue that the agreement fails to address the sector’s key problems.
State of the system
In recent months, the situation in Catalan schools has remained tense. Teachers have repeatedly gone on strike, demanding better working conditions and higher salaries. The standoff peaked with a mass protest in February, followed by a series of new actions. Nevertheless, authorities signed an agreement with only two smaller unions — CC OO and UGT — excluding major organizations such as Ustec from negotiations. Ustec and three other unions argue that the agreement lacks specific solutions to key issues and does not provide sufficient funding to support teachers and students.
The Minister of Education has assured that starting in September, additional specialists will be available in schools to work with children with special needs, and overcrowded classrooms will be eliminated. In the coming months, teachers are also promised a one-time payment of 800 euros as compensation for a regional bonus that has been frozen for 25 years. However, these measures have not convinced opposition unions, who continue to insist on further negotiations.
Response from schools and parents
In recent weeks, another debate has flared up in Catalonia: around fifty schools have announced plans to cancel traditional student trips for the next academic year. The reason is a lack of adequate support from the authorities and the reliance of such excursions on teachers volunteering to lead them. The minister acknowledged that organizing trips does depend on teachers’ enthusiasm, but called it paradoxical to cancel outings in the very year the state will, for the first time, pay for student overnight stays.
In addition, the Ministry of Education issued a special informational bulletin sent to students’ families. The authorities explained that the purpose of the mailing was to communicate the agreement and its significance to parents. However, unions accused the ministry of trying to set parents against teachers. Niubó rejected these claims, stressing that the sole aim was to provide information.
Debate over salaries
The issue of teachers’ salaries has become another point of tension. The ministry stated that, following a wage increase, Catalan teachers would rank among the three highest-paid in Spain. However, unions point out that the comparison is misleading: the figures for Catalonia are projections for 2029, while the data for other regions reflect current salaries. The minister acknowledged that the comparison does not accurately represent the real situation, and promised to adjust the numbers as salaries increase in other autonomous communities.
Overall, the situation in Catalonia’s education sector remains difficult. Despite promises from authorities, many schools and unions continue to demand more concrete action and transparency. As El Pais reports, the lack of dialogue could spark new protests and prolong the conflict indefinitely. It’s worth noting that similar disputes over teachers’ pay and working conditions are happening beyond Catalonia. For example, in recent years, other Spanish regions have also seen mass teacher strikes, while an analysis by russpain.com points to similar conflicts in the healthcare sector, where unions are calling for a review of agreements and increased funding.
For reference: In recent years, Spain’s education system has faced ongoing challenges. In 2024 and 2025, large-scale teachers’ strikes took place in Madrid and Valencia due to reforms and budget cuts. In Andalusia, new rules for workload distribution among teachers were discussed, which also sparked discontent. Overall, issues of salaries, working conditions, and decision-making transparency remain some of the most pressing across the country, not just in Catalonia.
