Aragón’s effort to regulate extracurricular activities has drawn strong pushback from school leaders, who say the new rules do little to shield teachers from legal risk. Introduced after 17-year-old Mario Conesa died on a school trip, the law has left many educators unconvinced. Some schools have decided not to resume trips or activities at all.
The regulation, published as order ECU/1254/2026, followed months of anxiety across the education sector. In March 2022, Mario Conesa, a student at Instituto Público Ítaca in Zaragoza, died during a study trip to Hasselt, Belgium. He became ill and was left alone in the hostel while others went out. He was later found dead after a fatal fall. Two teachers are due to stand trial in January, accused of gross professional negligence and facing up to four years in prison if convicted.
The regional government says the current regulation is only a transitional measure. It plans to gather feedback during the 2026/27 school year before developing a more comprehensive law.
The legal case sent shockwaves through Aragón’s schools. After the teachers were charged, nearly a hundred schools, especially in Zaragoza, cancelled all extracurricular activities and trips. Ítaca, Mario’s school, was the first to act. Others quickly followed, demanding clear rules on their responsibilities outside the classroom.
Unions, parents and school associations pressed the regional government, which introduced the new regulation in August. It sets minimum teacher-to-student ratios for trips and requires at least two teachers per outing. It also mandates a 12-hour rest period after activities. Participation is voluntary for both students and teachers. The law says the administration covers civil liability, while criminal liability applies only in cases of intent or gross negligence.
School directors say the regulation is vague and leaves teachers without the legal certainty they need. Guillermo Sánchez, head of the directors’ association, calls the law "subjective" and insufficient. He warns that staff must make decisions about risk and protocols without proper training. Unions share these concerns, arguing that the extra paperwork may discourage teachers from organizing activities altogether.
Regional media report that at least 15 schools have officially told families they are suspending all extracurricular activities. Opposition parties claim that more than 2,000 student places in Pyrenean activities have already been cancelled, costing local transport and hospitality businesses.
Opposition politicians have also criticized the measure. Socialist deputy Jorge Pastor dismissed the law as a "mouse" that offers no real protection or extra resources. Gema Tomás of CSIF and Esmeralda Gómez of UGT say the regulation simply repeats existing rules and fails to address the problems that triggered the crisis.
Education councillor Carmen Susin says teachers already have legal support, while demands for criminal immunity exceed the regional government’s authority. She notes that only the national parliament can change the penal code and warns against raising false expectations about what the regional law can do.
Despite the new rules, more than a dozen schools have voted to keep extracurricular activities suspended. The uncertainty threatens educational opportunities and local economies that rely on school trips, including Aragón’s ski resorts. The upcoming "Semana Blanca" ski campaign, which usually brings thousands of students, is now at risk.
Other Spanish regions have faced similar problems, including previous incidents where unclear safety standards led to mass cancellations and public criticism.
Aragón is the first region in Spain to regulate extracurricular activities, but the backlash shows how legal uncertainty and bureaucracy are driving teachers away from trips and projects that once enriched school life. Unless lawmakers clarify liability and provide practical support, while setting realistic expectations, schools are likely to keep opting out, depriving students of valuable experiences. The government’s quick response has not resolved the underlying crisis. Aragón still faces the challenge of matching policy to the real risks and responsibilities schools face.
