Teachers overwhelmed by the early start of the competitive exams: "I have four second-year high school groups and 140 students"

PalmIt's always been understood that the last teachers to arrive at a school are usually the ones who have to take on the classes and subjects that the other professionals don't want. It's an unwritten rule, but one fully accepted in faculty meetings. In second place are the substitute teachers, who take on the duties of the teacher they are replacing or fill any last-minute vacancies. These are the rules of the game, and everyone knows them.

But the calendar has changed everything this year. The teacher recruitment exams will be held on May 9th and 10th, right at the end of the school year, a date that adds extra pressure for substitute teachers who want to take them. The situation particularly affects teachers of the second year of Bachillerato (pre-university studies), a particularly demanding year due to the proximity of the university entrance exams (PBAU) and the volume of content.

"I have four second-year Baccalaureate groups with 35 students each: that's a total of 140 students," explains a substitute teacher with a permanent position in Mallorca. "This means constant grading, specific preparation for the university entrance exams, and a dedication that goes beyond teaching hours." The problem, he says, is that when he accepted the position, he didn't know it was for that level. "I took it because the information didn't specify that they were second-year Baccalaureate groups. If I had known, I would have thought twice. Preparing for competitive exams with this workload and with the tests scheduled for May 9th and 10th is very complicated," he laments. The schedule means that candidates will have to face the final stretch of the school year, which includes assessments, reports, and preparing for final exams, while also finalizing their syllabus, lesson plans, and presentations before the panel. "I'm going to take the competitive exams no matter what, because they haven't been offered in my specialty for years, and I can't let this opportunity pass me by," the teacher affirms. This situation is not isolated. Other substitute teachers consulted agree that the overlap of responsibilities is generating a significant level of overload. "It's not just teaching; it's grading, holding meetings, attending to families, and, on top of that, studying every day," explains another substitute teacher, who also prefers to remain anonymous. "The feeling is that our professional future is at stake during the most intense weeks of the school year."

Union discontent

The criticism isn't just coming from classrooms. The SIAU union has denounced the decision to bring forward the competitive exams. "We oppose this mistreatment of candidates by the Regional Ministry of Education. Once again, it's clear that, for the Vera administration, teachers, students, and educational quality are not a priority." The union questions the arguments put forward by the administration. "What outrages us most is that they don't listen to the professionals and the excuses they use, such as moving the exams to May to avoid chaos in the allocation process. We ask ourselves, what chaos are they trying to avoid if we experience it at any time of year? Is it enough to look at how the last weekly allocations have gone—the cancellation of processes minutes before or after they started, incorrect positions, etc.?"

The statement raises questions about the coming months. "What will happen this summer if the usual chaos during the awarding process repeats itself? What excuse will be used, given that the competitive examinations were moved forward to May, with all the problems this will have generated? It's high time someone took responsibility and faced the music. The educational community is fed up with so much ineptitude and negligence."

Unequal Burdens

On the other hand, there is a structural factor to consider: teachers over 55 are entitled to a reduction in teaching hours, as are professionals in management positions, coordination roles, and other responsibilities. This distribution, mandated by regulations, means that in some specialties, the teaching load is not uniform. "It all depends on the school's structure," say teaching sources. With May 9th and 10th circled on the calendar, many substitute teachers are facing the coming weeks with the feeling that time is running out. Between the classroom and the curriculum, the opportunity to disconnect this year will be scarcer than ever.