Catalonia’s education chief calls for more special education places. Hundreds of families cannot access specialized support. The region debates whether to expand existing schools or invest in inclusive classrooms.
Families across Catalonia are struggling to find places for their children in special education schools, as demand continues to outstrip supply. Even after the addition of 204 new spots this year, nearly a thousand requests remain unanswered. The shortage has sparked renewed debate over how best to support students who need tailored educational help.
Esther Niubó, Catalonia’s Consellera de Educación y Formación Profesional, has acknowledged the problem. In a recent interview on 3Cat, she said expanding special education is necessary to meet the needs of vulnerable students and to relieve pressure on mainstream classrooms. Many parents want their children in specialized centers, but limited places make that impossible for some.
According to data published on September 6, 2026, 40.6% of all Catalan students—314,000 children—now require some form of specific educational support, more than double the figure from five years ago.
— RAC1
This year, the government invested 6.3 million euros to create 80 new groups, but demand still exceeds what the system can offer. Some children with special needs remain in regular schools, where families say support is lacking. The region now faces a choice: build more special schools, or strengthen inclusive education by adding specialized staff to ordinary classrooms.
Niubó noted that a decade of focusing on inclusion and equal opportunity has not always led to better outcomes for every child. She called for a new agreement among policymakers, urging them to listen to families and rethink the balance between integration and specialized support. The main question is whether to expand special schools or invest further in inclusive models for students with milder needs.
The issue has become more urgent after recent national setbacks. The latest PISA 2025 results from the OECD showed Spain’s worst performance on record. Catalonia’s own results were left out due to a sampling error, which Niubó admitted damaged the department’s credibility and led to disciplinary action against several officials. This has put even more attention on the region’s education policies.
In response to the growing needs, Catalan authorities have added 1,800 new specialists this year, with about 1,000 dedicated specifically to supporting students with special needs. Despite a 36% increase in inclusive resources, the rate at which new support needs are identified has risen by 28%, highlighting the ongoing challenge of keeping pace with demand.
— El Periódico
The new school year has also started with teacher strikes in eleven Catalan districts. The Assemblea Educativa de Catalunya, which includes union representatives, is expected to set out its demands on September 19. Niubó admitted these are difficult times for the education department, but said the government is committed to building a system that can meet future needs.
Other recent events have added to the pressure. As reported earlier, Barcelona has faced record-breaking heat, making the start of the school year even more complicated for students and staff.
The shortage of special education places has exposed a major gap in Catalonia’s support for its most vulnerable students. While the government has made some investments, the ongoing mismatch between policy and reality means many families are still left waiting. Catalonia’s leaders now face a clear decision: either make a significant expansion of specialized support, or risk leaving hundreds of children without the help they need.
