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."

Either in May, or in October

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 describes the situation as "a complete farce" and criticizes the fact that, "without any prior information or consensus," the exams were first proposed for May and then, subsequently, for October. "Many people started preparing for exams that are usually held in June," the union points 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 warns 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 good conditions, and with guarantees." "We must be able to trust the administration that is calling for them," it concludes. With Thursday's protest, the disagreement between the Education Department and the unions remains unresolved, and the final schedule for the 2026 competitive examinations is, for the moment, up in the air. However, the official announcement must be published in the coming weeks, which reduces the window of opportunity to resolve the conflict.