The PSIB and the educational community declare war on the exemption of teachers from Catalan: "We will not take any steps backwards"

PalmThe recent agreement between the PP and Vox, which will allow teachers applying for hard-to-fill positions to not have to prove their knowledge of Catalan, has sparked a wave of criticism from unions and educational groupsThe measure, presented as a solution to fill vacancies in understaffed areas, has been interpreted by its critics as a setback in linguistic normalization and an attack on the historical linguistic rights of the Balearic Islands. After months of uncertainty, the Educational Network for the Language will meet again on Monday. This Friday, the PSIB (Socialist Party of the Balearic Islands) convened a meeting of the educational community to analyze the impact of the measures that diminish the role of Catalan. Representatives from teachers' unions (STEI, SIAU, Alternativa, UOB, and UGT), the Young People of Mallorca for the Language group, and the OCB (Balearic Islands Citizens' Organization) attended, and the meeting had the support of primary school principals and families. All of them expressed their strong opposition to the measure.

For Rosario Sánchez, deputy general secretary of the PSIB, the measure represents a clear break with historical consensus: "Vox is increasing the pressure on Catalan, and the PP is giving in. The PSIB considers it unacceptable to break one of the historical linguistic consensuses and an attack on linguistic rights, with the public," she stated. Sánchez warns that relaxing the language requirement has a real and immediate impact: "There are patients who request care in Catalan and don't receive it; there are students who have linguistic rights and don't have a teacher who speaks to them in their language. The Catalan language only becomes a problem when Vox is in power. The issue is pleasing Vox. It's outrageous. It has caused widespread indignation," she continued.

Amanda Fernández, general secretary of the Socialists of Mallorca and head of education for the PSIB, has also expressed her concern about the implications of the measure: "The educational community has conveyed concern about the current situation. The government is directing decisions stemming from Vox, and unfortunately, there are many of them. They always attack the most vulnerable: education and our own language. This has been announced and accepted by the PP." Fernández insists that the impact of the agreement on education goes far beyond the simple requirement of a Catalan certificate: "Now they are proposing to eliminate Catalan from the civil service and from teaching positions in hard-to-fill areas, which would further hinder the availability of teachers who know the language. One tutor teaches Catalan in primary school. In Formentera, all the positions are in very hard-to-fill areas, and they can't teach it."

According to Fernández, the measure doesn't only affect education: "Vox is doing this out of hatred for the language. The language, besides being our own, is what unites the Islands. It makes those of us who live here and those who have learned it feel like we belong. This attack by Vox, condoned by this cordial two-party system."

The unions join forces

Carles Cabrera, from the STEI union, has also raised concerns about the initiative: "Vox intends to marginalize Catalan only in areas where it is already gaining ground: education, public administration, and healthcare. It's the myth of false bilingualism: they'll take students out of Catalan classrooms, but they'll continue to be taught Spanish. It happens."

Other voices within the educational community believe the measure jeopardizes social cohesion and the use of Catalan as a public service language. Joan Crespi, from SIAU, warns that the educational community will not back down: "We are united to make it clear that we will not tolerate attacks on the Catalan language. Vox has a morbid obsession with language. Language has united us for decades. The government should focus on real problems, such as the lack of professionals, and not let Vox dictate the path of the educational community. We will not back down and will act decisively against these measures." For her part, Azahar Tortonda (UGT) emphasized the seriousness of these kinds of decisions: "It seems they want to impose a monoculture from a past of repression. UGT will defend Catalan to the end. It is the language of instruction, and the educational community is clear on this. Educational projects cannot be undermined." There are other structural problems: reduction of ratios, improvements to the 2023 Framework Agreement, Infrastructure and air conditioning plan.

Accelerated decline

Àngela Alemany, from UOB, warns that the measures could accelerate linguistic setbacks: "Our union's cornerstone is the staunch defense of Catalan. This language is fundamental to society. Without Catalan, we wouldn't be who we are. They want to change who we are, and they want to do it from the ground up: children and schools. Not only with qualifications, but also with other barriers. The more social actors who join us, the better." Sources from the PP and Vox argue that relaxing the language requirement responds to a practical need: filling hard-to-reach positions in areas with teacher shortages. They maintain that it's not about eliminating Catalan, but about adapting the criteria to ensure schools can continue operating. However, critics emphasize that the measure jeopardizes historical consensus and the use of Catalan as a language of social and educational cohesion. The debate highlights the divide created by the relaxation of Catalan language restrictions: while the PP and Vox frame it as a pragmatic solution, critics denounce that it affects linguistic rights, social cohesion, and the quality of education in the Balearic Islands.