Catholic schools in Spain
call for respect of freedom of education
 |
| Students attending a class in Spain (AFP) |
Catholic schools in Spain appeal for respect of the right to
freedom of education in the face of education reforms that they are concerned
will make private schools “subsidiary” to public schools.
By Vatican News
Spain’s Catholic schools are appealing to the government to
ensure the right to freedom of education enshrined in the country’s
legislation.
They made this appeal in the wake of the debates surrounding
the new legislation on education approved by the Spanish government last March.
The new law, also known as “LOMLOE” (Ley Orgánica de Modificación de la LOE) is
the organic act of modification of the LOE, the previous education law.
LOMLOE is a reform of the education system that addresses
issues like early drop-out and grade repetition. However, it recommends that
religious education no longer be compulsory for students in the first and
second years of high school. Besides, marks obtained in religious education
will no longer count for admission into universities or for obtaining
scholarships.
In the place of religious instruction, education in civic
and ethical values will be compulsory for all primary and secondary school
students.
Appeal of Catholic schools
Expressing their concern, Spanish Catholic schools point out
that the education reforms might “stifle teaching in private schools, making it
subsidiary to that of public schools.”
To guarantee the right to freedom of education, the Catholic
schools hold that “it is necessary to devise “systems of public funding” for
private schools. This proposal rejoins the 12 June 2018 resolution of the
European Parliament which encourages governments to “provide adequate financial
support for all schools - private and public, within the framework of
inclusiveness and respect for freedom of educational choice.”
Catholic schools insist that it is necessary to “overcome
differences and conflicts in order to achieve an educational pact that promotes
complementarity of public and private systems.”
They call for a “broad social debate” that recognizes that
diversity of schools “reflects the plurality of European societies.” The
Catholic schools also point out that though public education in Spain is
important, it should not be the only type of education available.
Education in Spain
Catholic schools account for roughly 15% of the total
education system and 58% of subsidized private education.
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