The Professors de Secundària (Secondary School Teachers) union in Lleida has warned the Catalan Department of Education against deploying police in schools, advocating instead for strengthened teacher authority and legal protection. The organisation stated that placing police in educational centres is not the solution, emphasising the need to “guarantee respect for teachers and their authority.”
In a message on X, the union clarified that it has never requested such a measure, nor has the teaching staff. According to the union, the most important aspect is for the Department of Education and school management teams to support teachers and act as accusers in criminal cases. They underlined that “authority in the classroom must belong to the teacher, not the police.”
The union believes that if the Catalan government deploys police in classrooms, it would be an “extreme measure” that signifies “we are hitting rock bottom.” They stressed that the Generalitat has a “legal obligation to protect teachers from all kinds of aggression and vexation,” insisting that their proposal always centres on respect for teaching staff and their legal protection by institutions.
Prioritising Teacher Authority
The Professors de Secundària union lamented “the impunity with which teachers are insulted and attacked.” They also warned that the 'Normes de Convivència' (Rules of Coexistence) must be adhered to and cannot be replaced by 'Pràctiques Restauratives' (Restorative Practices), which serve a different function. The union continues to advocate for institutional support and robust legal frameworks to ensure a safe and respectful learning environment.
