The Counselor of Education, Science and Universities of the Community of Madrid has criticized the Ministry of Education for not including the 0-3 age group in the draft law aimed at reducing school ratios in Primary and ESO. This regulation, approved in its second reading by the Council of Ministers, has sparked controversy by ignoring a key demand from sector workers and several autonomous communities.
The new legal text sets a maximum of 22 students per classroom in Primary, compared to the current 25, and 25 in ESO, instead of the current 30. However, the Madrid representative has accused the Ministry of not considering the opinions of the autonomous communities or the School Council during the approval process.
“"It is further proof that the minister, like her predecessor, has not listened to us."
The main objection focuses on the omission of the 0-3 age group, a fundamental demand from early childhood education workers, who are currently on an indefinite strike in Madrid. According to the counselor, the central government avoids an essential part of the problem and also transfers an economic burden to the autonomous communities that, in her opinion, they cannot bear.
The Ministry of Education has responded that work will begin before the summer to review the royal decree regulating various aspects of educational centers. This reform could include ratios for the first cycle of early childhood education. Furthermore, the Ministry has recalled that the minister already met with representatives of the Early Childhood Education Labor Platform during the initial mobilizations, showing her willingness to seek solutions.
