Summit Set for Friday Morning
The president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, will hold a meeting at 9:30am today at the Palau de la Generalitat with parliamentary groups to launch a broad debate on education policy. The summit includes all major parties except Vox. Initially, the Partit Popular de Catalunya (PPC) had declined the invitation over concerns about Education Minister Esther Niubó’s position and compliance with language rulings, but later confirmed attendance. This marks the first time that Aliança Catalana participates in a high-level executive summit convened by Illa.
Push for National Education Consensus
The meeting follows Illa’s announcement on 14 September at the Maritime Museum in Barcelona, where he pledged to pursue a "great national consensus" in education aimed at achieving public investment of 6% of GDP. This target is enshrined in Catalonia’s 2009 Education Law but has not yet been met. According to the government, the Council for Catalan Education (CEC) will lead the consultation process, with final proposals expected by April 2027. Illa intends for agreed measures to be implemented continuously over at least ten years, with annual progress reports presented to Parliament.
We need to sit down, talk, and build, this isn’t about showing strength or confrontation.
The initiative aims to renew the spirit of the 2004 National Pact for Education, which led to the 2009 law, and comes ten years after the decree establishing inclusive schooling. Implementation of that policy has sparked ongoing debate, particularly regarding support for student diversity in classrooms.
Backtracking on Curriculum Changes
In recent days, the Department of Education reversed previous decisions by announcing the return of mandatory literature readings in first and second-year Batxillerat (senior secondary) from the 2027–28 academic year. These were eliminated two years ago. Schools will also be required to submit reading plans annually, shifting from a voluntary basis. The move responds to criticism over declining literacy standards and follows advocacy from teaching unions and educational bodies.
Teachers’ Unions Remain Skeptical
The broader education sector remains tense. Teaching unions, including USTEC, have accused the government of attempting to sideline labour representatives through a top-down dialogue. They argue that real negotiations must include union voices and families, warning of further strikes in November if no formal bargaining begins. The new school year began with a one-day strike, and while the department calls for a pause in industrial action during the consultation, unions insist their mobilisations will continue unless substantive talks commence.
Minister Stands Firm Amid PISA Controversy
The summit takes place hours after a plenary debate in the Catalan Parliament over errors in PISA testing procedures. Opposition parties, Junts, PPC, Vox, and CUP, again demanded Niubó’s resignation, citing mismanagement. Illa defended her, stating: "A change of personnel contributes nothing." Niubó will attend the meeting alongside the president.
Primary sources: govern.cat, E00VLB. Reported by regio7.cat, ACN, Departament d'Edicions del Parlament de Catalunya, lavanguardia.com, El Periódico, elnacional.cat, Parlament de Catalunya, CatalunyaPress.cat, eldebate.com, Regió 7.
