Academic year to start in early September as talks between authorities and unions fall through

Talks between the Catalan education department and unions have fallen through, meaning schools are set to return next year one week earlier than usual.

The education department made a final offer over hours and staffing before Easter, but after unions did not attend talks on Monday, the list of teaching staff for the next academic year was published by the authorities on Tuesday, making those proposed changes impossible.

Strikes and talks

Catalan president Pere Aragonès had announced in February that the 2022-2023 academic year would begin on September 5 for preschools and primary schools and on September 7 for secondary schools, baccalaureate programs, and professional training courses.

Teachers' unions were opposed to the new dates and other changes in the education sector, leading to five days of strike action as well as talks with education officials.

The education department's final proposal to the unions involved bringing forward to the 2022-2023 academic year a one-hour reduction in classroom hours for pre-school and primary school pupils and the hiring of 1,462 additional staff.

According to sources at the department, the proposal was communicated during talks before Easter and again on Friday before a meeting of the sector on Monday, but as unions did not attend Monday's meeting, no agreement was reached.

On Tuesday, the education department published staffing lists for the next academic year, which did not include the proposed 1,462 extra teachers. According to department sources, it is therefore now too late for any agreement on changes to teaching hours.

Dolors Collell, the director of staff for public schools, said the department was "disappointed" and that they had made several moves to accommodate union requests over teaching hours.

She added that the current disagreement – which she speculated was partly down to internal union power struggles – would not mean that the department will not continue come to the table, but warned that it is too late to negotiate over aspects that affect the next academic year.

Regarding the new school calendar, Collell said the department was determined to go ahead with the new start date of September 5, and that the full timetable for the year will be published soon.