Catalonia will require 25 remaining institute schools to switch to a split schedule next year. The move ends a decade-long exception and has sparked sharp disagreement between teachers and families.
The Department of Education in Catalonia has notified 25 institute schools that they must abandon the intensive school day and adopt a split schedule starting next academic year. This decision, affecting the last group of such centers in the region, marks the end of a transitional arrangement that had allowed these schools to maintain a compacted timetable for nearly a decade. The change is set to impact students aged three to eighteen and has reignited debate over school hours in secondary education.
The intensive day was first introduced during the tenure of the Artur Mas government, as a cost-saving measure amid widespread budget cuts. Teachers benefited from free afternoons, while the administration reduced expenses on school meals, scholarships, and utilities. However, with the arrival of ERC in government, a gradual reversal began, targeting institute schools as the first step. The authorities have now moved to fully align secondary schedules with those of primary students, as stipulated in the latest school calendar order.
Under the new regulation, secondary students in institute schools will be limited to a maximum of two afternoons per week without classes. Until now, the compacted schedule had been renewed annually as an exception, but this moratorium has now been lifted. Among the affected schools is Feixes de Terrassa, which had already received early notice of the change. Teachers at these centers have voiced concerns about logistical challenges, particularly the limited capacity of school canteens to accommodate more students staying for lunch. They also argue that the new schedule disrupts their work-life balance and question its educational benefits.
In contrast, parent associations, represented by Affac, have consistently supported the split schedule in secondary education. They argue that it prevents teenagers from starting their day too early, ensures they eat lunch at a reasonable hour, and reduces the likelihood of students being left unsupervised at home in the afternoons. The split schedule, they believe, better supports family routines and student well-being.
According to available data, institute schools in Catalonia serve a wide age range, integrating both primary and secondary education. The shift to a split schedule brings these centers in line with the majority of schools in the region, where the standard timetable includes both morning and afternoon sessions. The debate over school hours remains contentious across Spain, with different regions adopting varying approaches. In Catalonia, the latest move signals a clear policy direction aimed at standardizing educational routines and addressing both economic and social considerations.
