Tomeu Barceló, a benchmark of pedagogical renewal in the Balearic Islands, dies

PalmaThe teacher, philosopher, and pedagogue Tomeu Barceló died of cancer this Monday after several weeks of hospital admission, news that has caused profound shock within the educational community of the Balearic Islands, where he was one of the most beloved and respected figures for his work in teacher training and pedagogical renewal. Barceló dedicated a large part of his professional career to defending an educational model centered on the person and human relationships. A training professor, he was a specialist in group dynamics and human relations, Focusing Trainer, Certifying Coordinator, and accredited Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapist by The International Focusing Institute.

Throughout his career, he also held various responsibilities within the Government's Ministry of Education. He was head of the Teacher Training Service, general secretary of the Ministry, and director of the Ramon Serra Training Institute in Palma. Likewise, he presided over the Spanish Focusing Institute.

His activity extended beyond the Balearic Islands. For decades, he taught courses, seminars, and conferences at universities and institutions in Europe and Latin America, where he disseminated a pedagogical model based on listening, personal growth, and educational support.

Also a writer

Barceló is the author of several books, including Centrar-se en les persones, Crecer en Grupo, Entre Personas, La sabiduría interior and Educar al lado, as well as co-author of the Manual Práctico de Focusing de Eugene Gendlin. He also published numerous articles and research papers on education, personal development, and human relationships. His death has generated numerous expressions of condolence among teachers, former students, and education professionals, who have highlighted both his human quality and the impact he leaves on several generations of teachers and professors.

The general secretary of the Socialists of Mallorca, Amanda Fernández, who coincided with Barceló during his time as general director in Education, has expressed her sadness: "He is one of those people who leave a mark, a benchmark in education, a teacher by vocation and a writer. He was my pillar within the Ministry and I was very lucky to have him as a friend. My heart is broken and I am very sad. Thank you for so much, my friend," she wrote.

For his part, the former Minister of Education, Martí March, has also deeply lamented the death of Tomeu Barceló. "I have no words. Sadness, sorrow, and anger are the feelings I have inside me now," he wrote on social media. March avoided reviewing his extensive professional career and preferred to highlight his human side: "From Tomeu, I only have words of gratitude." He defined him as a person "clear, loyal, coherent, strong, and efficient," with "a commitment to education, to his country, and to the language," and concluded the message with a "Thank you, Tomeu! A hug and goodbye forever!".