The assembly of teachers responsible for grading the University Entrance Exams (PAU) in the Valencian Community has increased pressure on the Department of Education this Tuesday amid an ongoing conflict with public school teachers, who are engaged in an indefinite strike. The approximately 250 teachers responsible for reviewing and grading the university exams have warned that they might not join the panels tasked with supervising and grading the tests, a decision that would seriously jeopardize the normal conduct of the exam session.
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In a statement released after the assembly meeting, the teachers justify this stance due to the “stalemate in the strike negotiations” and the “inability of the Department of Education” to reach agreements with the majority of the unions. Consequently, they announce that they are considering “not attending the constitution of the panels,” scheduled for June 2.
The discontent goes beyond this initial warning. The teachers also threaten a “mass resignation” from the grading bodies “on the very day of the panels’ constitution.” They even leave open the possibility of “more forceful actions regarding the grades, when the time comes,” a phrase that reflects the level of tension in the Valencian educational conflict.
The assembly of grading teachers accuses the Department of Education of remaining immobile and “not wanting to show even the slightest flexibility” towards the proposals put forward by “the vast majority of teachers represented by the unions.” They also add that, in their view, the regional department is not showing “a genuine concern for the necessary demands related to the Baccalaureate.”
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The conflict has worsened after Education signed the salary increase agreement of 200 euros only with the Anpe and CSIF unions, organizations that represent about one-third of the non-university public school teachers. The rest of the unions consider the agreement insufficient and continue to pressure the regional administration.
The threat from the PAU graders now introduces a matter of great concern for thousands of Valencian students preparing for decisive exams for their university admission.
