The school year starts with 936 more students in the private school and 823 fewer in the public school.

PalmThe 2025-2026 school year begins with 161,201 students in preschool, primary, secondary, and high school, an increase of 113. This is a significantly lower increase than the 1,183 in the previous year, which can be attributed to the drop in the birth rate. Of these, 128,111 are in Mallorca; 12,559 in Menorca; 19,268 in Ibiza; and 1,263 in Formentera. In response to this, the Regional Minister of Education, Antoni Vera, acknowledged that while the population decreased in preschool and primary education, it increased in 0-3 (+1,391) and slightly in secondary education. However, the private schools that have gained many students are private schools. 800 in Mallorca, 14 in Menorca, 64 in Ibiza, and 58 in Formentera (which has doubled its number of places in this category). Thus, in the Balearic Islands, the private sector has gained 936 students. In Mallorca, the public sector has lost 459; in Menorca, 283; in Ibiza, 75; and in Formentera, 6. In total, 822 fewer students. The first school year entirely organized by the PP's Education Department (2024-2025) also saw a shift in favor of private sector education. In 2024-2025 It started with 488 fewer students in the public school and another 1,671 in the private school..

This year, as every year, the number of teachers has increased, with 176 more in public schools and 23 in private schools. Vera indicated that since the beginning of the term, 1,122 new teachers have been added. For now, there are eight vacant positions across the islands. During the same period last year, there were 117 vacancies.

Given the increasing vulnerability of students, Educació has also opted to increase support staff. Thus, public schools will have 451 guidance counselors (16 more), 24 new Technical Educational Assistants (ATE), and 34 more support specialists. The number of educational psychologists has also increased. There will be 43 in public schools and 36 in private schools. The increase is due to the incorporation of these psychologists into the CEIPIESO (Primary Schools of Primary Education), whereas currently they only served schools with secondary education.

The 2025-2026 school year begins in the Balearic Islands with important new developments promoted by the Ministry of Education and Universities. These include the entry into force of the new curriculum decrees, the limitation of screens in preschool and primary classrooms, and the expansion of places for new measures aimed at strengthening management and educational equity.

Reinforcement of learning and limited use of screens

With the start of the new school year, the new decrees regulating the curricula for Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary, and Baccalaureate education come into effect. The new guidelines focus on reinforcing basic learning, especially with an increase in the number of hours dedicated to mathematics and languages. One of the most significant aspects of these changes is the limitation on the use of personal electronic devices. They are prohibited throughout Early Childhood and in the first three years of Primary. In fourth grade, a maximum of one hour of use per day is permitted, while in fifth and sixth grades, this time may be extended if compatibility with pedagogical objectives and student well-being is guaranteed. In justified cases, this limit may be exceeded to facilitate access to learning.

The new order regulating the use of mobile phones in public and private schools also comes into effect. The regulations prohibit the use of personal devices both during school hours and during leisure time, complementary activities, and school outings. Their use is only authorized in specific situations, such as for medical reasons. Regarding the linguistic area, the language segregation pilot plan is being extended to 19 schools, all of them state-subsidized.

New schools and infrastructure investments

Four schools are opening this academic year: the Can Picafort Primary School (450 places), Ses Deveres in Caimari (225), Sant Miquel in Son Carrió (150), and the Tramuntana Primary School in Palma (675), creating a total of almost 700 new places. This year, €95 million will be allocated to infrastructure. Notable projects include the construction of the new Maioris Secondary School in Llucmajor (€9.8 million), the expansion of the Sant Marçal Secondary School in Marratxí (€5.5 million), and the new school in Sa Pobla (€8.2 million), among others. In Menorca, the Mercadal Secondary School (€8.3 million) and the renovation of the sports center at the Maria Àngels Cardona Secondary School stand out. The Es Faralló Secondary School is being built in Ibiza (€9.5 million), and the Marc Ferrer Secondary School is being expanded in Formentera. Thanks to these actions, it is planned to eliminate around twenty modular classrooms this year, out of the 159 still in use.

One of the main technological innovations of this academic year is the gradual implementation of the Llull system, a digital platform that seeks to modernize the administrative management of schools and reduce bureaucracy. All public schools now have a single electronic window for communicating with the Regional Ministry. A total of 29 schools are participating in a pilot test initially focused on financial management. In January-February, when the tool will be extended to the rest of the schools, it will be expanded to include other management modules, such as complementary activities. Management teams have begun training to properly implement the new tool.

Limited dining room fare

The limited price of school canteens remains in place: €6.85 for regular students and €7.55 for temporary students. The Regional Ministry is allocating €10.27 million, while €3.15 million is allocated for textbooks and teaching materials, with 296 schools benefiting. A pioneering measure this year is the inclusion of students with shared custody in the school transport service. They will be able to use different stops on the same route, provided that their school is included in the itinerary. The transport service—regular and adapted—has an estimated cost of €26.5 million and serves approximately 18,600 students.

In addition, the consumption of energy drinks during school outings to public schools is prohibited. This measure is being implemented this year through internal instructions, but will be legally included in the upcoming school cafeteria decree, planned for the 2026-2027 school year, which will also regulate food services for children aged 0 to 3.