El Raval, a neighbourhood in Barcelona, has launched a new Community Programme for the Prevention and Reduction of Early School Leaving. The initiative, spearheaded by Fundació Tot Raval and over 100 local organisations, aims to improve educational and employment prospects for young people in the area.
Jordi Farrés, president of Fundació Tot Raval, announced the project on Monday. It includes the creation of the 'UB-Fundació Tot Raval Chair for Community Action for Educational Equity' and is funded by the Fundación Seat Cupra until 2030. The programme's goal is to cut the early school leaving rate in the neighbourhood by 25%.
"Educational equity is one of Raval's challenges. It is not new; we have been working on it for years, but it remains relevant," Farrés explained. "Various Raval organisations contribute, from tutoring classes, music, sport, or educational leisure activities."
Addressing Educational Disparity
Data from the '2024 Yearbook: the state of education in Catalonia', produced by Equitat.org (formerly Fundación Bofill), shows a significant disparity in educational outcomes. In Ciutat Vella, where El Raval is located, one in four students (25%) finishes compulsory secondary education (ESO) without a qualification. In contrast, in the wealthier Sarrià-Sant Gervasi area, this figure drops to just one in 25 students (4%).
This initiative, a collaboration between the University of Barcelona (UB), the neighbourhood's community network, and Fundación Seat Cupra, seeks to extend young people's educational process beyond the classroom. It aims to address the diverse realities and needs of Raval's youth.
University and Community Support
The UB-Fundació Tot Raval Chair is currently in its diagnostic phase and expects to present initial findings before the end of the academic year. It will provide methodological, strategic, and scientific support to the programme, helping to achieve the 25% reduction target in early school leaving.
Joan Guàrdia, Rector of the University of Barcelona, highlighted that difficulty accessing university is "an evident reality," especially for those in more complex economic situations. He urged universities to provide solutions. Anna Terra, manager of the Barcelona Education Consortium, noted that the challenges faced in Raval could also affect other vulnerable neighbourhoods. She added that housing and socioeconomic difficulties "are also reflected in schools."
Patricia Such, director of Fundación Seat Cupra, described El Raval as "very special" to the car manufacturer, which named its latest model, the Cupra Raval, after the neighbourhood. She stressed that the talent of its young people "is just as important as that of other neighbourhoods."
