The issue of Citizenship in English in the Valencian Community has been one of the most discussed fronts in recent years. The introduction of the subject Citizenship Education in English, initially proposed by the Ministry of Education, generated controversy, both among teachers, unions and parents of students, as well as in political circles, and this culminated in a macro-strike in the education sector, called to address tensions. This strike was planned for the Wednesday before the Christmas holidays, implying a significant social and educational impact.
Lack of consensus on Citizenship Education in English
One of the main triggers of the strike was the lack of consensus around the implementation of the Citizenship in EnglishThe introduction of this project not only meant teaching one more subject in a foreign language, but also brought with it a challenge for many schools that were not prepared to take on such a burden. Many teachers claimed that, despite good intentions, they did not have sufficient language skills to teach the subject effectively, resulting in a loss of quality in teaching.
On the other hand, parents were concerned, as they felt that this measure could affect the understanding of fundamental concepts within the subject. The lack of resources, training and clear specifications for implementation aggravated the situation. The introduction of English in this controversial subject seemed to be undermining the basic pillar of education, which is the effective understanding of the students.
Trade unions and their role in the strike
Faced with this situation, educational unions, led by organizations such as the STEPV y CCOO-PV, they began to mobilize. After several failed meetings, they finally decided to call the aforementioned macro-strikeHowever, it should be noted that, although mobilisations were organised by the unions, not all educational sectors had reached a consensus on the need for the strike. Some believed that negotiations should continue before taking such drastic measures.
Despite the call, the unions made progress in negotiations with the Ministry of Education, which led to part of what they proposed being implemented. Following the talks, some centres that taught the subject of Citizenship in English They stopped doing so, which was seen as a small victory by the strikers.
Strike postponed, but not cancelled
Despite the progress in the negotiations, it is important to highlight that the Strike was not cancelled, but postponedThe decision to postpone the strike was seen as a clever tactic to keep the pressure on the government, giving it time to implement the promised changes, while the unions assured that if the agreement was not met, they would resume the strike at another time. This strategy demonstrated the unions' ability to adapt to circumstances without giving up their rights.
Impact and consequences of the strike
When we talk about the impact of this educational strike, it is worth highlighting the main sectors affected, especially schools, institutes and language schools in the Valencian Community. These institutions saw their activities interrupted, often with consequences for both students and teachers and, of course, families. The lack of classes due to the strike meant that key days in the school calendar were lost, which generated problems in terms of the assimilation of the content by students.
On the other hand, this protest had an echo in other areas of the education sector, with debates at a national level on the viability of teaching multiple subjects in English without having previously ensured adequate linguistic preparation of teachers. In addition, the neoliberal measures proposed by the new government created a favorable environment for the discussion of the early retirement and other issues related to the working conditions of teachers.
Other labour disputes in the education sector
Apart from the macro-strike In relation to English Citizenship, other labor conflicts have affected the educational sector in the Valencian Community. For example, the recent Cancellation of the hiring of 5.000 teachers The decision by the current regional government, just one day after a massive educational strike, has generated a new wave of criticism. The agreement on staff, initially signed with unions under the previous government, included the hiring of teachers to reinforce the staff in Infant, Primary, Secondary and Special Education.
The cancellation of this agreement has caused significant tensions. The unions interpret this measure as a covert cut, which will seriously affect the quality of education and the adequate number of teachers within educational centers.
STEPV, the majority union in the Valencian Community, has called for new mobilizations and has accused the current government of giving turning your back on public education, putting future advances in educational quality at risk.
The right to strike in the education sector
The right to strike is enshrined in Spanish law and has historically been used as a pressure measure by unions when dialogue with the authorities has not yielded results. According to the Royal Decree 17 / 1977, the exercise of the right to strike does not extinguish the employment relationship and cannot give rise to sanctions, unless the worker commits a breach during the strike. During the strike, the employment contracts of employees are suspended, but it is vital that the freedom of those workers who decide not to participate in the strike is respected.
It is important to note that in essential sectors such as education, they can be imposed minimum services to ensure the maintenance of certain fundamental rights of citizens. Article 28.2 of the Spanish Constitution establishes these guarantees to prevent the normal functioning of essential public services, including educational services, from being affected.
Minimum services and strike in the education sector
In practice, the declaration of a strike in education does not always mean that all educational activities will be paralysed. Authorities may impose minimum services to ensure that essential services, such as final examinations or classes at critical educational levels, are maintained. However, these minimum services have been controversial. Some unions have criticised that the minimum services imposed in educational strikes are too strict, sometimes limiting the right of teachers to fully join the strike. In many cases, unions have protested the breadth of the minimum services, considering them abusive and detrimental to the real impact of the strike.
Mobilization of the teaching sector and unions
In the Valencian Community, the mobilization of the teaching sector is not an isolated event. In the context of the support for public education, both teachers and their union representatives have been demanding improvements in working conditions and education for years. In May 2024, important rallies and demonstrations were held in defense of public education, attending the strike called by the Platform in Defense of Public Education. Among the main demands of the teachers were the reduction in student ratio in classrooms and improving working conditions for teachers over 55 years of age.
Another of the great concerns of the teaching sector is the salary reduction that many teachers have had to face in recent years. The unions have demanded regain purchasing power that teachers have been losing as a result of cuts in education. In addition, there have been demands for improved resources in educational centres, which in many cases have seen their budgets cut, negatively affecting the quality of the teaching provided.
Early retirement in the education sector
Early retirement has been one of the most repeated demands by teachers' unions. Negotiations agreement The agreement reached in some sectors allowed teachers to retire before the normal age, but this varies depending on the methodology applied. In the transport strike in the Valencian Community and other sectors such as education in previous months, early retirement was one of the main issues addressed, with the demand to reduce the retirement age to 60 years and allow those teachers who are no longer in optimal condition to teach to retire without losing part of their pension.
El retirement reduction coefficient, is a measure that was implemented in sectors such as bus drivers, who managed to force an advance in the legal retirement age through mass strikes.
The struggle of the education sector in the Valencian Community reflects a tension that has accumulated over the years due to the lack of preparation, resources and investment by the government in key areas. Citizenship education in English was only the spark that ignited a broader movement in defence of public education. The strike movements have shown the weaknesses of a system that was not adapting to the demands and urgencies of the sector, and although some progress was made, it is clear that talks between unions and the government must continue to avoid further episodes of confrontation.