At university, group work has consolidated as a key learning tool, in line with the principles of the Bologna Process. But behind the idea of cooperation and preparation for the professional world, tensions lurk, such as inequalities between classmates, diverse evaluation systems, and a question that divides students and teachers: is it really fair how collective work is evaluated?

The Government will launch a new Baccalaureate Excellence Program (PEB) that will begin operating in a newly created center in Palma, named IES Llorenç Villalonga, and which will also have a presence in Ibiza and Menorca through specific classrooms. The initial offer will be divided into two training pathways: one oriented towards Science and Technology and another focused on Humanities and Social Sciences. According to the Minister of Education and Universities, Antoni Vera, the future institute in Palma will be approved shortly by the Governing Council and, provisionally, will be installed in the Sa Riera building of the UIB.

The first Baròmetro of the Social Council of the UIB shows that only 51.2% of students would prefer to mostly receive classes in Catalan, while 40.4% opt for Spanish, in a context of linguistic coexistence but with significant differences depending on studies and territories. The survey, based on 2,067 responses, also reveals that the use of Catalan in classrooms varies significantly between faculties and islands, with particularly unique cases like Formentera, where no student declares wanting to mostly receive classes in Spanish.

The Governing Council has given the go-ahead to the decree that sets the foundations for the new Baccalaureate Excellence Program (PEB), an initiative aimed at fostering and recognizing the academic performance of students with the most outstanding results. As explained by the Executive's spokesperson, Antoni Costa, the program will provide students with additional tools and a specific framework designed to enhance talent during the post-compulsory stage.

First words of the teacher who suffered the homophobic aggression at IES Baltasar Porcel, a case that ARA Balears exclusively reported and in which several minors have already been identified. “I am very grateful for the support received. I finish at the center this Wednesday and right now I am correcting the last exams. I am fine, in fact, I am very well. I have a lot of work, but I feel good,” he explains. “I have a law degree. I had a class with the suspects and I made them read the Penal Code and the Minor's Law, to show them that, even though they are minors, all types of crimes have consequences. They are 16 and 17 years old, and everything has repercussions: even if they don't go to prison, they can be sent to a juvenile center,” he adds in conversation with ARA Balears.

The homophobic episode that a teacher from IES Baltasar Porcel suffered from students has been the trigger for a type of MeToo in the education sector, with various professionals sharing similar experiences of verbal and sexist violence within classrooms. The situation has caused strong indignation among the educational community, which has long warned of the increase in aggressions and disrespect towards teachers, many of them (33%) physical. Professionals consider that the case that has come to light this week is the tip of the iceberg of a broader and often silenced problem.

The subject of Religion in the Balearic Islands This reinforces a downward trend among public school students.While enrollment in state-subsidized private schools has increased, the total number of students enrolled in state-subsidized private schools has fallen from 63,148 in the 2022-2023 academic year to 59,561 in 2025-2026, a reduction of approximately 3,600 students (-5.68%). This decline is particularly significant in the state school system, which has dropped from 24,518 students to 19,552 in recent years, a decrease of 4,966 students, or 20%. This decline has notably affected the presence of Religion as a subject in state schools, where there are fewer and fewer interested students. Conversely, state-subsidized private schools are experiencing the opposite trend: enrollment has increased from 38,630 to 40,009 students, a rise of 1,379 students, or 3.5%.

Fifth and sixth grade students at CEIP Es Vivero presented a rap song, written by themselves, about equality and the fight for women's rights. This initiative took place during a rap workshop led by rapper Rafel Swing at the school over the past few weeks. It is also part of the awareness-raising activities promoting equality and preventing gender-based violence in schools, coinciding with International Women's Day (25-N) and International Women's Day (8-M).

The Teachers' Assembly of IES Alcúdia has "strongly" condemned the recent attack on a teacher at the school after he reprimanded a student, an incident that has generated significant concern within the educational community. However, the teaching staff emphasizes that this is an isolated incident and that it should in no way overshadow the collaborative work carried out with students and families to build bonds, positive relationships, and a sense of belonging. In a statement, the teachers stress that the school is generally a safe and harmonious environment, but warn that the attack highlights a reality that extends beyond this specific case. In this regard, they are calling on the Regional Ministry of Education to adopt effective measures to guarantee a positive environment in schools and to ensure that teachers can carry out their work in peace and security. The Assembly frames this incident within a broader context that, they point out, is increasingly normalizing the violent resolution of conflicts. "It is more necessary than ever to educate in a culture of peace," he argues, while insisting on the importance of joining forces to ensure a climate based on respect and dialogue. He also calls for real support for schools and teachers, with the guarantee that their educational work will be respected and valued. The attack on the Alcúdia Secondary School comes at a time when teachers' discontent is increasingly visible. A recent survey by the STEI union reveals that more than 75% of teachers in the Balearic Islands perceive an increase in conflict in the classroom. According to this study, almost eight out of ten teachers report an increase in verbal—and occasionally physical—aggression from students, and three out of four confirm that this tension also stems from families. Teachers also point to structural factors that exacerbate the situation: high student-teacher ratios, a lack of material resources, excessive bureaucracy, and a widespread feeling of institutional vulnerability. This cocktail, they warn, has a direct impact on both the quality of education and the emotional well-being of teachers. Given this scenario, the Teachers' Assembly of IES Alcúdia considers it essential to strengthen resources, materials, and strategies for conflict prevention and management. The goal, they insist, is not only to react to violent incidents, but to sustainably improve the climate of coexistence in classrooms and ensure that schools remain safe spaces for everyone.

Upon entering CEIP La Soledad, a feeling prevails: the space breathes and embraces. The classrooms are large; the hallways, wide, and the original windows flood the building with light. This environment contrasts with the daily lives of many students, who live in small, crowded apartments. "Working in this school is completely different. Here, in the La Soledad neighborhood, which has been stigmatized, children can feel comfortable, with space and light to grow," explains Encarna Miró, the school's director. Her words capture the living heritage of the Second Republic, when the construction of schools in Mallorca transformed education with an advanced social and pedagogical vision.

The National Police are investigating a teacher in Palma for five alleged cases of harassment of underage students, after an initial complaint filed in late December opened an investigation that has led to the identification of five more potential victims of the same teacher. The investigation began following a complaint from a young woman who reported receiving persistent and repeated calls every day from a blocked number, many of them late at night. According to her account, the calls caused her anxiety and disrupted her daily life. Days later, the victim returned to the police to report that the phone harassment continued. In these subsequent calls, the alleged perpetrator asked if they would meet and told her he missed her. At the beginning of the year, the young woman confirmed that the calls were still coming, but this time from a visible phone number.

The Ministry of Education will urgently repair the stairs at the Joan Alcover Secondary School in Palma after structural problems were identified that could endanger students and staff. The stairs connect the first and second floors and are one of the main access points to the school, with more than 600 users daily. The visit by Minister Antoni Vera comes after complaints from teachers and students, who have even called a strike for February 11. The government has already put out to tender an emergency intervention scheduled for the beginning of the month, although a completion date has not yet been set. The school administration has restricted the use of the affected section and is warning of the need to avoid overcrowding, while technicians analyze whether the structure needs to be reinforced. Possible causes of the cracks include nearby construction work, the installation of the elevator, and a former air-raid shelter. In addition, students are requesting improvements such as higher handrails and safer conditions in the playground.

Parents' associations have expressed their concern following the possible disappearance of the school cafeteria model managed by Parents' Associations (AFAs) in the Balearic Islands, a system currently active in about ten schools serving approximately 1,500 students and now threatened by the reform of the Decree. In a statement released this Monday, the organizations emphasize that "no one questions that the school cafeteria is, or should be, another educational space within the school. A space where education, participation, health, coexistence, sustainability... are present, or where they should be." It is precisely this pedagogical integration that, according to the families, is at stake if the current management model changes. Among the affected schools are CEIP Rafal Vell (Palma), whose cafeteria has been managed by families since 1980; and CEIP Es Pont (Palma), since 1996. CEIP Sa Indioteria (Palma), since 2006. Other affected schools are located in Llucmajor, Santa María, Alaró, Campanet, Inca, Colonia de Sant Pere, and Sant Joan.

The National Police have opened an investigation into the possible "inappropriate conduct" of a teacher at the Nuestra Señora de Monti-sion school in Palma with a student. The investigation, carried out by the Family and Women's Assistance Unit (UFAM), suggests that the incidents occurred through an instant messaging application. Monti-sion school has reported that the teacher under investigation has been suspended from his duties and that the matter has been reported to the Police, the Public Prosecutor's Office, and the Education Inspectorate. In a statement, the school indicated that it received information last Monday regarding possible "inappropriate conduct" by a teacher, although they did not specify the nature of the behavior or with whom it involved. At that time, the measures outlined in the Jesuit 'Safe Environment' protocol were activated, and the teacher was suspended from his duties as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, the school continues to gather information about the initial elements of this situation to try to clarify what happened. The matter is also in the hands of the judicial, police, and educational authorities, with whom the school has committed to collaborating in a coordinated manner "to guarantee the proper follow-up of the procedure." The teacher remains suspended from his duties as a precautionary measure this Wednesday, and the school continues to faithfully apply the steps established in the protocol. Monti-sion has reaffirmed its commitment to the care, protection, and well-being of all members of the educational community. Any situation that may cause concern, it reminded, can be reported to the following email address: protection@jesuits.es"Given the sensitive nature of the matter, we reiterate the importance of trusting the responsible entities to ensure compliance with established protocols," the educational center stated.

"When I retired, I was absolutely certain you wouldn't find me sitting in an armchair," says 81-year-old Francesc in classroom 3 of the Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos building at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), where he and his classmates are waiting for the professor to arrive for the final class of Interculturality and Migration: Science. The 120 students in the Open University for Seniors (UOM) Postgraduate Diploma program—towards a new humanism—have until November 30th to submit the paper they will be assessed on for this course. They can also graduate without taking any assessments if they attend 80% of the classes. "They are the best students I've ever had. They are thoughtful and open-minded, people who are used to listening, something rare these days," explains David Abril, the professor of the course and of Sociology. "They participate without being asked, they bring things up, they question them... This is ideal at any age and it's harder to achieve with young people," he adds, also acknowledging that the reality he has found at the UOM "has exceeded" his expectations—it's the first time he's taught.

The General Baccalaureate has been at the forefront of one of the most significant transformations in post-compulsory education in recent years. This track—designed for students who haven't yet decided on a specific pathway—combines subjects from Science and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Arts, offering an interdisciplinary education that breaks with the rigidity of traditional baccalaureate programs. Since the 2022-2023 academic year began, following the approval of the LOMLOE (Organic Law for the Modification of the Organic Law on Education), the number of enrolled students in the Balearic Islands has practically tripled, rising from 518 in the first year to 1,402 this year. Beyond this overall growth, a phenomenon has caught the attention of teachers and counselors: the clear masculinization of this track. Data from 2022 to 2025 show a sustained increase in male students across all the islands, to the point that, in some cases, they make up well over 60% of the total. In Mallorca, men represented 55.5% of students in the first year, reaching 62% in 2024 (58% in 2025), while in Menorca they have consistently remained between 55% and 60%. In Ibiza, male enrollment has skyrocketed from 47% in 2022 to 62.5% in 2025. In Formentera, they now account for 77% of enrollments. Men represent 58.2% of those currently enrolled in the General Baccalaureate program in the Balearic Islands (2025-2026).

For the past two years, history has been repeating itself, and every day more families join the struggle. In Pollença, Alcudia, Santa Margalida, Muro, and Can Picafort, the anxiety of arriving on time to the Joan Taix Integrated Vocational Training Center in Sa Pobla has become a collective battle affecting more than 600 students throughout the northern region. It's a problem that no one is resolving and, according to the families, is jeopardizing their future careers before they even begin. The situation hasn't changed in recent years despite the protests: young people arrive late due to public transport schedules and routes, and these delays translate into absences that count. And they count for a lot. Under current regulations, accumulating 25% absences means losing a place in the vocational training program. And the students at Joan Taix are simply at a disadvantage. "The bus drops them off at the Sa Pobla cemetery, and they have to walk across the entire town to get to the center. They're late every day," explains Maria Antònia, the mother of one of the affected students. She's not speaking for herself: she's speaking on behalf of dozens of families who have been living with this stressful, anxious routine of impossible deadlines for two years. "If they're five minutes late and there's an exam, they're not allowed in. And that's an unexcusable absence. We find it unfair because it's not up to them," she laments. A struggle that goes back a long way

This mother vividly remembers that when she studied at the same school, they were already experiencing a similar problem. Even so, the situation was better: "There was a bus that picked up students from Pollença and took them directly to Joan Taix. Santa Margalida and Muro traveled together on another bus, and Alcúdia and Pollença shared a route. All of this was provided by the Consell de Mallorca." Nowadays, however, students have to navigate a real obstacle course: "From Pollença, the bus arrives at approximately 7:30 a.m., but classes start at 8:00 a.m. A simple delay and they're already late." From Santa Margalida, they have to leave at six in the morning for Inca to catch the train to Sa Pobla. From Can Picafort and Muro, they depend on equally precarious connections," she says.

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Nine months after the announcement of the closure of the IES Politécnico in the BOIB (Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands), the school community continues to express its concern about the management of the center's transformation into an Integrated Vocational Training Center (CIFP). According to the school's faculty assembly, "despite the rush to eliminate the public school places that are to be integrated into the future CIFP Politécnico, it remains in its infancy and doesn't even have a project plan." In fact, the teachers have requested information from the Ministry of Education about the project's status. The response has been clear: "The implementation of the new educational facilities is in a very early preliminary design phase, therefore the requested project plan is not available." For now, the closure process continues. Thus, in the 2025-2026 academic year, the first year of ESO (Compulsory Secondary Education) has been eliminated, a second year ESO group has been created, and the first year of Bachillerato (Upper Secondary Education) has been eliminated. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the second year of ESO (Compulsory Secondary Education), one third-year ESO group, and the second year of Bachillerato (Upper Secondary Education) will be eliminated. The elimination of ESO and Bachillerato studies will continue during the 2027-2028 academic year with the elimination of the third year of ESO and one fourth-year ESO group, while in the 2028-2029 academic year, the last fourth-year ESO group will be eliminated.

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The Balearic Islands' education system has seen an increase of more than 20,000 students in the last decade, rising from 178,055 in the 2015-2016 academic year to 198,140 in 2024-2025, according to data included in the Education Yearbook, which features 28 presentations. The report, prepared by the Educational and Social Research and Training Group (GIFES) of the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) in collaboration with the Guillem Cifre de Colonya Foundation, highlights that public schools account for the majority of the student body: 127,445 students compared to 70,695 in private schools, a difference of 5%. The number of foreign students has also increased and set a new record. Over the same period, this figure has increased from 13.7% to 19%, figures above the national average.

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The Ministry of Education has informed high schools that, starting this year, they will have to complete regular assessment reports before June 5th, which means final exams will be held earlier. This advance will allow for the make-up tests (extraordinary assessments) to be held during the month of June and the final reports to be completed before the 26th of the same month, thus eliminating the September tests. According to the instructions sent to schools, students will be required to continue attending classes until the last day of the school year (June 19th), even if they have already been assessed. Teaching staff will have to organize reinforcement activities, tutoring, and extra tests for students with outstanding subjects, as well as specific proposals.

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