Forty-one infant and primary schools in Segrià, Lleida, have agreed to cancel all school trips, practicals, and complementary activities for the upcoming academic year. This decision also affects festivals, tutorials, and start-of-term meetings, which will not take place outside regular school hours.
The schools communicated their decision to the territorial services of the Department of Education in Lleida. They cited "saturation and helplessness" among teachers and the government's refusal to provide "real solutions" following recent protests by the teaching community.
According to a document seen by Segre, the reasons for this action include a shortage of professionals, overcrowded classrooms, limited human and economic resources for inclusive education, excessive bureaucracy, and a lack of professional and social recognition, alongside "insufficient compensation."
Teacher Concerns and Demands
Teachers also criticised the "responsibility and overload" they experience during trips and excursions, which they say staff undertake voluntarily. They added that conditions for educational support staff and other personnel need to improve.
The schools emphasised that their decision "is not a renunciation of the pedagogical value of these activities." However, they stated that "to guarantee long-term educational quality, it is essential that the system has adequate support." They clarified that their objective is for this measure to be temporary and lifted once their demands are met.
Among the schools implementing these cancellations are Mare de Déu del Carme in Alcoletge, La Rosella in Rosselló, Escola d'Almenar, Sol Ixent in Corbins, Sant Salvador in Albatàrrec, and the school in Alfés. Other affected centres include Carassumada in Torres de Segre, Francesc Feliu in Aitona, Comtes de Torregrossa in Alcarràs, La Creu in Torrefarrera, Sant Jordi in Puigverd de Lleida, Parc del Saladar in Alcarràs, Miquel Baró Daban in Seròs, Antònia Simó i Arnó in Almacelles, and Teresa Bergadà in Alguaire.
Rural schools are also affected. These include ZER la Coma, which covers El Roser in Sudanell and Sant Isidre in Montoliu de Lleida. ZER Alt Segrià, encompassing schools in Vilanova de Segrià, Blanca de Villalonga, la Portella, and El Roser in Torre-serona, will also participate. Sant Joan in Benavent de Segrià, ZER l'Horta de Lleida (Antoni Bergós, Arrels, Creu del Batlle, and El Segrià), and ZER Ponent in Sucs are also part of the agreement.
The schools await a response from the Department of Education regarding their demands for improved working conditions and resources.
