Public education teachers in the Community of Madrid mobilized again this Thursday after little progress in negotiations with the Ministry of Education of the government of Isabel Díaz Ayuso. The main unions in the sector (CCOO, UGT, ANPE and CSIF) and the Less Lectivas Teachers’ Assembly have joined the call for a general strike to once again demand improvements in their working conditions and quality of the education system.
Despite negotiations that began a year ago, progress has been limited. Education Minister Emilio Viciana’s latest proposal proposed a gradual reduction of the school day over the next four years, but it was rejected as insufficient. The unions believe that the measures do not respond to the urgency of the situation and do not have sufficient budgetary support.
The day began with a rally in front of the Ministry of Education, at 11:00 a.m., and continued with the unitary assembly in Peñuelas Square, organized by Menos Lectivas, where the possibility of an indefinite strike was discussed. before the end of the course. . This Thursday’s mobilizations culminate with a unitary demonstration, at 5:30 p.m., which will leave Atocha.
Leticia, a teacher at a special school, started the meeting with a message of unity and motivation: “It’s exciting to see so many people here demanding and fighting together. » During his intervention, he highlighted the scale of the movement, represented by teachers from all Territorial Directorates (DAT) of the Community of Madrid, and highlighted the growth of collective effort in an ever-increasing number of centers.
The main message revolves around the need to change the current situation of public education in Madrid. Leticia recalled that budget cuts since 2011 have seriously affected the quality of education, overburdening teachers and harming students. “We are here to reverse these cuts, improve our working conditions and defend quality public education,” he said.
The spokesperson for Menos Lectivas explained that since the start of this school year, the assemblies formed in the centers have multiplied and there are now more than 170. “This struggle arises from the base and it is we who let’s decide, we must constantly pressure until we listen,” he concluded to applause and cries of support for public education. The spokespersons, at the end of their speech, assured that if necessary “the course will not be finished”.
A transversal mobilization
The teachers involved range from primary school teachers to special education and vocational training. They all agree to insist that the regional government must not only respond to workers’ demands, but also reverse budget cuts and attacks on public education. “It is time to prioritize investments in public education instead of diverting funds to public education,” Assembly spokespersons said.
Eva, compensatory teacher and therapeutic pedagogue at the Colegio República de Venezuela, joined the strike to denounce the growing precariousness in public education: “They force us as much as possible, always respecting the ratio, and when they recognize the lack of teachers “They cover us with half the staff instead of giving us all the resources.” Eva hopes that the Assembly will see the emergence of strong measures which will give priority to comprehensive care for the most vulnerable populations. more vulnerable, emphasizing that the fight goes beyond the reduction of schools: “It is a question of real care for children”.
Laura, a teacher at the Antonio Moreno Rosales school in Lavapiés, participated in the assembly with the intention of heading towards an indefinite strike with the support of the families: “We need them to make all this work.”
Industry requirements
Among the main demands, we distinguish the reduction of the teaching day – from 25 to 23 hours in early childhood and primary, and from 20 to 18 in secondary -, the reduction of ratios in classes, the equalizing salaries, increasing staff numbers and eliminating bureaucracy. Also added were questions related to the reorganization of timetables to teach the 1st and 2nd ESO in schools, a measure which, according to the unions, violates the autonomy of the centers and generates uncertainty among teachers.
This movement also integrated the demands of other groups, such as psychopedagogical orientation teams and vocational training (VT) teachers. These sectors denounce the lack of public places in vocational training, the precariousness of guidance services and the cuts which affect specialized education schools.
The next meeting between the unions and the ministry is scheduled for November 29. However, teachers are already planning a calendar of mobilizations that could extend beyond January if significant agreements are not reached.
