On Saturday afternoon, central Barcelona was filled with columns of teachers marching to remind the authorities of their concerns. The demonstration attracted participants from both public and private educational institutions. Organizers reported 30,000 people in attendance, making it one of the most prominent teachers’ protests in recent years.
The main demands are increased sector funding, salary indexation, smaller class sizes, and a reduction in excessive paperwork. Protesters argue that current education funding is insufficient to address long-standing issues. Teachers note that their earnings have failed to keep pace with rising prices in recent years, while workloads have only grown.
Among the participants were not only teachers but also staff who support the educational process: kindergarten caregivers, religion instructors, and administrative personnel. They all insist on the need to revise working conditions and increase staffing. Many voiced particular discontent with the current system for forming teaching teams, believing it limits opportunities for career development.
Private school employees also joined the protest, demanding equal rights with their colleagues from public institutions. They are concerned about workload, early retirement policies, and staff numbers. According to organizers, the rally was a reaction to the prolonged lack of dialogue with authorities and the failure to fulfill previous promises.
Surveys among teachers show that one in three is considering changing professions due to fatigue and disillusionment. School administrators have also supported their colleagues’ demands, except for some contentious issues related to staffing policies. Overall, the mood in the education sector remains tense, and march participants do not rule out further protests if the situation does not improve.
