The Governing Council of the Community of Madrid greenlit the allocation of over 65 million euros to bring 1,280 new teachers into the region's public educational centers. This initiative represents one of the most significant staff reinforcements in recent years and addresses both union commitments and the evolving needs of Madrid's educational system.
Of the new positions, 692 are linked to the Sectoral Agreement signed last year with trade unions, while the remaining 588 will cover needs arising from population growth and the establishment of new schools.
The distribution of these new hires spans all educational stages. Secondary Education will receive the largest share with 787 positions. This is followed by Early Childhood and Primary Education with 364 additional teachers, and Vocational Training with 113. Ten positions are reserved for professors of Music and Performing Arts, and six for the Educational Inspection body.
One of the most tangible effects for families will be the reduction in class sizes. In Secondary Education, the limit will be lowered to 25 students per class in the 4th year of ESO, completing a process already underway. In Primary Education, the increase in teachers will allow for a maximum of 20 students per class up to the 2nd year of Primary, directly benefiting younger children who require more individualized attention.
The staff expansion also addresses the region's educational growth, with the launch of 49 new Early Childhood, Primary, and Secondary centers (CEIPSO) and a new high school in Rivas Vaciamadrid for the upcoming academic year. The arrival of these teachers is essential for their normal operation.
Furthermore, six centers will introduce Arts and Excellence pathways for Bachillerato, broadening specialized educational options for students after ESO. Basic Vocational Training and Operational Workshops will also be strengthened.
A significant portion of the new teachers will focus on supporting students with special needs. Specifically, 275 Early Childhood and Primary teachers will be hired to enhance support for students with special needs in Madrid's public schools, as outlined in the agreement with the unions.
Additionally, Special Education units will be expanded, new classrooms for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will be created, and resources for Therapeutic Pedagogy, Hearing and Language, Educational and Psychopedagogical Guidance Teams, and Early Intervention Teams will be reinforced.
The measure also includes strengthening priority assistance programs, Grouped Rural Centers, and therapeutic and hospital services to ensure no student is left behind due to socioeconomic or health reasons.
Another key area to be reinforced is linguistic integration. The Community will update resources for 'aulas de enlace' (link classrooms), designed for students arriving in Madrid with no Spanish knowledge, as well as compensatory education programs. This will involve incorporating new Community Service Teachers (PSC), crucial figures for the socio-educational support of the most vulnerable groups.
The measure also benefits teachers directly. The increased staffing allows for the maintenance of the weekly teaching hours reduction to 19 hours for teachers, a labor achievement included in the agreement with the unions, contributing to improved working conditions in public schools.
Regarding funding, 1.5 million euros of the total approved investment will come from the European Social Fund. The remainder will be fully financed by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Universities of the Community of Madrid.
