The Minister of Education and Vocational Training, Esther Niubó, is interviewed by La Vanguardia one day after chairing the meeting between her department and the unions that have been holding a street standoff for two months. Niubó defends the pact, claiming that never before had 2 billion euros been put on the table for educational improvements. She believes there is room for agreements within it and assures that the Government will not leave the table until it is achieved.
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Before the meeting
“We are studying accelerating the payment of the salary increase or other supplements”
Thousands of teachers support strikes despite the economic and social wear it implies. Don’t you think there is a deep problem?
Yes, I believe there is an underlying discontent that has been building for years and has combined with the new challenges teachers face ahead. There are many factors looming over the system.
Was it a mistake not to reach an agreement with the major unions?
I don’t think so. There was an opportunity at that time to reach a major agreement of 2 billion, 25% of the department’s budget, with two unions, CC.OO. and UGT. A very important step forward was taken. The regional salary supplement had been frozen for 25 years and was increased by 30%. In four years, teachers will earn 3,000 euros more than now. Structural measures such as ratios or more educational staff in the classroom were defined.
It was not understood that way in light of the protests. Teachers are increasingly disillusioned and the mobilizations persist.
The good news in recent days is that we have regained a margin for dialogue with all the unions. We will not leave the table. We must redirect the tension experienced in schools, faculties, management teams, families. In Thursday’s meeting, we proposed incorporating other professional profiles, which is what teachers ask for to address complexity. Remuneration demands were raised.
And what will you propose?
We have to study how we can satisfy, within the 2 billion, the improvement of working conditions that translate into better student learning.
Could the payment of the regional supplement be accelerated?
This is what we have to evaluate these days. Whether calendar modifications, if possible, or other matters.
Any supplement like the one for camps, which is generating rejection in many centers?
This is paradoxical. It has been more than ten years since a supplement for overnight stays was paid and, precisely, when a compensation of 50 euros per night is established, it is decided to stop doing them. Camps represent curricular enrichment and improve the area of autonomy. There are many children who, if they do not do it at school, will stop visiting cultural or other institutions. We would like to help redirect this situation.
Do you see any political intent behind the protest movements?
No, I don’t want to see it. I attribute it to a discontent that has erupted now. I believe the agreement should provide the opportunity to grow as an educational system and address the system’s challenges.
Mossos
“The leak of the Mossos pilot plan in schools further inflamed the conflict”
Inclusive education is starting to be questioned. Secondary Teachers say this model harms all students. Are you concerned?
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Well, yes. I ask myself, what is the alternative? Segregate? It is evident that diversity in the classroom adds complexity. And that is why we must organize the necessary resources, basically, more professionals. Also, next school year, special education places will increase for students requiring intensive attention.
Teachers point out that many hands are missing. They proposed incorporating a thousand more professionals. Is that enough?
More are always needed, but resources are not unlimited. The will is to advance to provide schools with the necessary hands to move forward. And sometimes it is more about organizing well.
How can principals fulfill their educational projects if they cannot maintain the appropriate profiles?
We cannot confuse the stability of a teacher, a civil servant who has studied to have this position, with the stability of a faculty. But we have redirected to try that in uncovered vacancies the substitute remains.
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Part of society questions teachers’ working conditions (vacations, schedules, training, evaluations…). Is this considered at the table?
There are many pedagogical issues that cannot be discussed only at a table with the unions, as there are more agents of the educational community involved. Principals, families, pedagogical entities. There are many voices and all must be able to say how they see the future of education.
Is the Mossos plan in schools still going ahead?
It is a pilot test applied only in centers that accepted it. They are agents who are already local and work for schools from outside. They specialize in prevention, mediation. They are support figures in case of conflict, they do not replace educators. The plan will be evaluated and, if it works, it will be made available to centers. And if not, it will not continue.
Have you done self-criticism within the Government for this plan and for the infiltration in an assembly?
We never like to explain these projects until they are evaluated. It was leaked and forced us to explain it. Surely, the timing was not the best and it has contributed to further inflaming the educational climate. But we defend the project and it stems from a demand from many management teams. Regarding the infiltration, Minister Parlón apologized.
There is a strike in Barcelona on Monday. Families wonder how the school year will end.
I would like the situation to be redirected soon to guarantee a better end of the school year and a better start of the next. I insist, the Government’s will is not to leave the table. There are solutions. And I trust that the unions see the importance of reaching an agreement to start building the foundations of education for the coming years.
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