Ahead of the new academic year, 3,079 students from eight schools in the province of Valencia, which suffered severe damage from the recent DANA storm, will begin classes in specially installed temporary classrooms. For about 600 students, the start of classes will be postponed for several days, as preparations of the facilities are still underway.
Overall, 810,730 children and adolescents will join the educational process in the Valencian Community for the 2025-2026 school year. This is 1,789 fewer than last year, reflecting the ongoing decline in birth rates. The school year begins on September 8 and encompasses all levels of education, from kindergartens to vocational colleges.
Regional authorities note that this year, the education system will focus on three key areas: the full implementation of the law on freedom of educational choice, restoring infrastructure in areas affected by DANA, and strengthening support for public schools while improving the quality of education.
After last year’s destructive storm, 115 educational institutions were damaged in 21 municipalities, and nearly 49,000 children were unable to attend classes. In the new academic year, all students will be able to return to their studies in their own towns. However, in eight schools across seven municipalities (Alfafar, Algemesi, Massanassa, Catarroja, Paiporta, Alginet, and Utiel), classes will temporarily be held in modular buildings.
During this academic year, 18 new schools will open in the region, with nine of them set to start operating on the very first day of school. Eight of these schools were completely destroyed during bad weather, and about 70 million euros have been allocated for their restoration.
Some delays in classroom preparations are due to interruptions in equipment deliveries. In particular, classes at Lluís Vives and Ausiàs March in Massanassa, as well as at L’Orba in Alfafar, will start one or two days later. This will affect just over 600 students.
Regional authorities emphasize that all work to finish equipping facilities will be carried out outside school hours and will not affect the safety of students and teachers.
As part of the implementation of the law on freedom of education choice, and based on a parent survey, more than 99.8% of students will study in the language chosen by their families. The number of teachers this year will reach a record 83,592, places in language schools and vocational colleges will be increased, and mathematics instruction and reading skills development will be strengthened.
Authorities also commented on potential protests in the education sector, noting that the most recent teacher pay raise in the region was carried out in 2007 with the involvement of the current administration.
