Son Sardina students begin the school year without Miquel Roldán

PalmTen school days later than planned, students at Maria Antònia Salvà Primary School returned to the classroom this Tuesday. Families decided to suspend the strike this Monday after it was confirmed that teacher Miquel Roldán—convicted of child abuse and assigned a temporary position at the school—had requested sick leave. Roldán had already had problems with students at the school years ago, both in person and on social media, email, and in other public places. The incident worsened when students from the school had an incident at Son Pacs Secondary School: Roldán enrolled in a vocational training program to coincide with them in the playground. For all these reasons, his presence at the school again is the main reason why many families had refused to start the school year, considering the environment unsafe for the children. However, if the teacher returns, the strike will be reactivated, and parents have already prepared a strategy to make it possible for students to receive training outside of the school. "We will provide them with quality education in the safe environment they deserve," explains Biel Cardona, spokesperson for the school's Student Families Association (AFA).

This year, the start of the school year at Son Sardina was unprecedented and delayed, with the usual scenes of excited children and their families accompanying them, which, instead of happening in mid-September, have been moved to the end of the month. Although traditionally these first days of the school year are usually marked by heat, today the atmosphere was cool, almost as if the calendar had synchronized with the coming of autumn. An unusual sight for a return to school on the islands.

Cardona stated yesterday that "for now, the children will be safe at school." However, he emphasized that this is only a temporary solution: "Returning to school is a first, temporary step. We understand that with the decision we've made and with those that are being sought, we will achieve a definitive solution. We have received certain information that gives us some peace of mind, as Roldán is not expected to return to the schools." Also speaking yesterday was the families' lawyer, Carmen López, who described Roldán's sick leave as "a turning point," although she made it clear that "it is not the solution." She explained that there are records of letters from other schools warning of problems between teachers and students: "A situation that has occurred over several years requires a solution from the Regional Ministry," López demanded.

Pending medical tests

The families, in fact, weren't solely mobilized by the harassment sentence. Their concern also stems from incidents that occurred years ago involving students from the Maria Antònia Salvà Primary School (CEIP) and who were enrolled in secondary school at Son Pacs High School. Roldán's medical leave was formalized this Monday, coinciding with the meeting of the Joint Working Group—a body composed of union and government representatives—which authorized the teacher to undergo a medical evaluation to determine whether he is fit to work in an environment with minors. However, this examination is not mandatory, and he can refuse.

If you decide not to submit to the evaluation, the Education Inspectorate may intervene and open a disciplinary case or propose precautionary measures. However, while you are on sick leave, your situation depends on Social Security, and the Occupational Risk Service of the Ministry of Education does not have the authority to require you to appear. The evaluation is therefore suspended indefinitely.