Teachers' unions call five-day strike for second half of March

Teachers' unions in Catalonia have called a five-day strike for the second half of March to reject starting the academic year earlier.

The Catalan president, Pere Aragonès, announced on February 10 that the 2022-2023 academic year would begin on September 5 for pre-school and primary school students and on September 7 for those in secondary school, Batxillerat pre-university programs, and professional training courses. This change affects public, semi-private, and private schools.

On Wednesday, USTEC, CCOO, Intersindical, Professors de Secundària (Aspepc-sps), UGT, CGT, and the education branch of USOC unions joined forces to announce a strike on March 15, 16, 17, 29, and 30.

The protest has been triggered by the new academic calendar, but protests also include calling for more investment in the sector after the budget cuts in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, and the consolidation of temporary workers.

'Enough impositions, we go on strike,' is the motto of the strike.

All participating unions are calling on the education minister, Esquerra's Josep Gonzàlez-Cambray, to step down. 

Reasons to start academic year earlier

The cabinet aims to help the work-life balance of families and "narrow the gap between courses." Equal opportunity among kids is also sought since the lowest-income families cannot afford certain summer activities.

Aragonès said the current gap between courses is "too big," given that the break between courses lasts around 80 days. "It is one of the longest in Europe," added education minister Josep Gonzàlez-Cambray, clarifying that however, the total number of course hours is similar to other countries and the amount of hours will continue being the same.

Only morning lessons in September for children

Schools will be able to pick four days off during the 2022-2023 period, instead of three, and preschool and primary school pupils in public schools will only have lessons in the morning in September. Teachers will subsequently have more time to plan the whole year during these first weeks. 

Yet, having lunch at school will still be possible in September and extracurricular activities will adapt that month. 

School hours for September will thus be from 9 am to 1 pm, the lunch break until 3.30 pm, and then activities from that time.

The department of education confirmed that children will be able to stay in school in the afternoon in September at no cost to families.