Confirmed: the teacher recruitment exams will take place on May 9th and 10th

PalmTensions surrounding the 2026 teacher recruitment exam schedule reached their peak this Thursday when most unions walked out of the sectoral meeting convened by the Ministry of Education to decide whether the exams would take place in May or October. The STEI Intersindical union justified its absence, accusing the department of "blackmail" and of shirking "its responsibility to guarantee the start of the exams in June." Ultimately, the Ministry of Education made the decision unilaterally, and the exams will be held on May 9th and 10th. Previously, they were held in June. The conflict has been brewing for weeks. Initially, the Ministry proposed moving the exams to the weekend of May 9th and 10th, arguing that this would allow for all administrative procedures—assigning positions, managing temporary staff, and filling vacancies—to be completed during July, thus ensuring that schools begin the academic year with their staffing levels in place. Education Minister Antoni Vera argued that it was necessary "not to have this process in the middle of all the other processes we have in education" and warned that, if the calendar is not reorganized, "we will once again find that teachers will not be in the Islands or in the schools in September."

The proposal generated widespread rejection among teachers. According to a STEI survey, 70% of teachers opposed bringing the exams forward to May, as they would coincide with final exams and assessment sessions, reducing candidates' preparation time. UOB Ensenyament called the measure "absurd" and denounced "more improvisation than planning," while SIAU criticized the "poor planning and lack of prior dialogue."

Decision in two days

In response to the union's objections, the Regional Ministry of Education introduced a new option at the sectorial negotiating table on February 9th: maintain the May date or move the exams to the weekend of October 16th and 17th. However, this alternative was also absent from the draft resolution that was to be negotiated, according to the STEI union. In a statement released this Thursday, the union described the situation as "a complete farce" and criticized the fact that, "without any prior information or consensus," the exams were first proposed for May and then, subsequently, for October. "Many people began preparing for exams that are usually held in June," the union pointed out. The STEI considers "this approach by the Regional Ministry of Education unacceptable, as it completely undermines the negotiation process at the sectorial table and plays with the future of hundreds of candidates," as well as the members of the examination boards. According to the union, the calendar change represents "a genuine disruption to the work of educational centers and serious harm to those preparing for competitive examinations, both in May and October."

Furthermore, it has warned that the fact that the selection panels can be composed of "up to 75% volunteers" entails "a lack of transparency and objectivity that can be very dangerous throughout the selection process." The union insists that the dates can be changed, but not "at the last minute," rather "through negotiation and with sufficient advance notice so that candidates can prepare adequately, under favorable conditions, and with guarantees." "We must be able to trust the administration that convenes them," it concludes.

Union Rejection

The UGT's Secretary of Education, Azahar Tortonda, emphasized that a matter "as important" as the dates of the teacher recruitment exams "cannot be debated in 48 hours." Despite being open to addressing a change of dates, Tortonda insisted that any modification should be made starting next academic year, as an immediate change could have negative consequences for teachers. The UOB, through its representative Angela Alemany, explained that the union's members voted by a large majority to keep the exams in June. "Given the only two options—May or October—we felt we had to leave the meeting," she stated. The CCOO union was the only one that did not leave the meeting, with Toni Cuenca, representative of the Education Federation, advocating for postponing the decision out of a sense of responsibility. The union advocated for reaching a consensus among all members of the Sectoral Committee, rather than having the decision made solely by the Regional Ministry of Education. However, with the confirmation that the competitive examinations will be held in May, Cuenca lamented that this "was not the consensus" they were seeking.