A new school year has begun in Spain this month, with more than eight million students returning to their classrooms. For every family with school-age children, September brings not only joy but also a fair share of worries. Parents pay special attention to educational matters, as their children’s future depends on it.
Among the main concerns are choosing the right school, whether the level of foreign language instruction is sufficient, and which extracurricular activities to select. But there are also issues not tied to personal choices, but rather to the specifics of the system itself. For example, at one Madrid school, a primary student had four different teachers for main subjects over four years. Such frequent staff changes make parents question the need for stability at the elementary level, especially when it comes to fundamental skills like reading, math, and English. However, the situation is difficult to change due to complex bureaucratic procedures involved in staffing allocations.
Another issue is the organization of the school day. Some public schools in Madrid still follow a split schedule, even though switching to a continuous timetable has been discussed more than once. In June and September, the school day is shorter, and the school year now starts and ends on different dates than before. The reasons behind these changes often remain unclear even to the parents themselves.
Urgent issues include class sizes and support for children with special needs. In recent years, Spanish schools have enrolled increasing numbers of migrant children, many of whom face language and academic challenges. Their successful integration requires additional resources, making this a top priority for both parents and educators.
The gender aspect is being discussed separately. Educational programs offer many initiatives focused on girls, including the promotion of science subjects and themed activities. However, there are hardly any similar projects for boys, and most teachers are women. Parents believe that boys also need role models and attention to their development.
The key issue is the quality of education. In recent years, the system has undergone numerous changes that, according to many, have negatively affected students’ preparedness. Frequent changes in laws and the politicization of education have led to a lack of a unified strategy. Attempts to reach a nationwide education agreement have failed, while the latest reforms, according to experts, have made schools’ work even more complicated and failed to address contemporary challenges such as limiting screen time.
Despite all the challenges, teachers remain the main backbone of the system. Their professionalism and daily work enable schools to maintain high academic standards. Parents believe that improving working conditions and increasing teachers’ salaries should be a priority for society. Only in this way can equal opportunities be ensured for all students and they can be prepared for life in modern society.
