Ismael Alonso's new position: he leaves the Ministry of Education to lead the SOIB
Margalida Darder Bover will be the new Director General of Equality and Reconciliation of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Families.
PalmThe new position of Ismael Alonso, former Director General of Teaching Staff and Concerted Centers, has been finalized. After his time at the Ministry of Education, he will not leave politics, but will instead change departments. According to sources ARA Baleares has learned from qualified sources, Alonso will assume the position of Director of the Balearic Islands Employment Service (SOIB), within the team of the new Minister Catalina Cabrera, who heads the newly created Ministry of Labor, Civil Service, and Social Dialogue.
She has training in the workplace. She holds a master's degree in occupational health and a higher technical degree in occupational risk prevention, specializing in occupational safety, as well as a second master's degree in occupational health, specializing in industrial hygiene. She also holds other qualifications related to the sector.
A public school teacher
Ismael Alonso had held the position of Director General of Teaching Staff and State-subsidized Schools since January 2024. Previously, since July 2023, he had been Director General of Educational Planning, Management, and Infrastructure, an area that was restructured with the new Education organizational chart. He is a mathematics teacher in a public school and Councilor for Education at the Sant Llorenç des Cardassar City Council (Mallorca). He will arrive at the Ministry at one of the busiest times for this general directorate: competitive examinations, awarding positions for temporary staff, and preparing for the 2025-2026 academic year.
From the very beginning of Ismael Alonso's term in office, many voices within the education sector questioned his unsuitability to lead the Teaching Staff Department. Furthermore, they considered that his appointment was in the interests of the state-funded school system. In an appearance before Parliament, Alonso defended himself: "We're not a top ten in every area, and that's why I prefer to surround myself with people who are better than me, from whom I can learn every day. I can contribute my experience in union issues and conflict negotiation, and also in occupational risk prevention and training. My intention is to leave the technical issues to the civil servants," he said. "We're not a top ten, but in public schools, we're not a zero either. I had 100% of the religion teachers, who, as far as I know, are from the public sector or not?" he added.
New senior officials
Separately, the Governing Council today announced the appointment of new senior officials. Margalida Darder Bover will be the new Director General of Equality and Reconciliation for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Families, headed by Sandra Fernández. Born in Manacor in 1983, she holds a degree in Pharmacy from the UCH-CEU and has been Deputy Director of Pharmacy for the Balearic Islands Health Service since 2023. Previously, between 2007 and 2023, she worked in community pharmacy.