Seventy-one public schools and institutes in Lleida province have committed to cancelling school excursions and camps for the upcoming academic year. This decision, affecting 36% of the 195 public centres in the region, aims to pressure the Education Department "until it implements real, structural, and effective improvements in the public education system," according to a statement.
Across Catalonia, 783 of the 2,249 public schools and institutes, representing 35%, have joined this initiative. While the choice to organise school trips is linked to each centre's management projects, a spokesperson for Lleida directors explained that all teaching staff meet between May and June to prepare the annual general programme, which details planned excursions, camps, and other projects. This document then requires ratification by the school council, involving votes from representatives of the local council, teachers, students, and families. "Several centres have already agreed with families not to go on excursions, and if there is no agreement, a tie can occur," the spokesperson said, adding that "no one can force us to spend the day outside, during non-teaching hours."
Directors Seek More Support and Resources
The spokesperson expressed that educators "do not feel protected" by the Education Department. They highlighted a need for "more social educators, psychologists, nurses, and teachers to attend to diversity, as well as to recover purchasing power after 20 years." The director acknowledged that various businesses affected by the cancellation of trips, such as camp houses, theatres, and bus operators, "have informed us that they do not agree, but we are within our rights." The director stressed that the action is "not against anyone."
Lleida Schools Consider Halting Student Placements
In addition to cancelling excursions and school camps, several schools in Lleida city are considering not accepting university students for practical placements next academic year. This move could affect the viability of Education studies at the University of Lleida (UdL), particularly for the dual modality programme, which includes placements across all four years.
"Teachers must guide students, monitor their interventions in classrooms, meet with the university, and attend three specific training sessions to know how to guide them. This is extra work that should not be done altruistically and outside working hours," a spokesperson for the school directors said. This potential refusal of placements signals a broader discontent among educators regarding uncompensated additional responsibilities.
