Spain's new school year faces strikes and protests across the country

More than eight million pupils are preparing to return to classrooms from September 7, but disputes over pay, staffing and school conditions could bring disruption in several regions

The summer holidays are almost over and millions of children across Spain are getting ready to head back to school. But while families are buying uniforms, checking school bags and trying to get everyone back into a routine, teachers in several parts of the country are preparing for another round of protests.

There isn't a single nationwide teachers' strike planned. Instead, several autonomous communities are dealing with their own disputes, with strikes and demonstrations scheduled over the coming weeks and further action possible if talks fail. For families, that means the impact will depend largely on where they live.

More than eight million pupils will return to school for the 2026-27 academic year. Madrid gets things underway first, with Infant, Primary and Special Education starting on Monday September 7. Most other regions begin on September 8, while the Valencian Community, Galicia, Asturias, La Rioja, the Canary Islands and Castilla y León start on September 9. The Balearic Islands and Extremadura are the last to return, with schools opening on September 10. For some families, however, the first week back could already look rather different.

Cataluña faces strike on the first day of term

Teachers in Cataluña are due to walk out on Tuesday September 8, the first day of the new school year.
The strike has been called by several unions, including USTEC·STEs, CGT, Intersindical, CNT and COS. They are calling for changes to classroom ratios, greater support for inclusive education, improvements to school infrastructure and better working conditions for teachers.

The dispute has been building since earlier this year and a previous agreement between the Catalan government and two unions did little to settle the disagreement.

There could still be a last-minute change, however. Education Minister Esther Niubó has said she will meet with all the teaching unions this week, including those supporting the strike, in an attempt to find a way forward.

One issue being raised by teachers is particularly relevant after another summer of extreme temperatures in Spain. USTEC says classrooms need better climate control and clearer measures for dealing with periods of excessive heat. The union has warned that temperatures inside some classrooms can make conditions extremely difficult for both teachers and pupils.

Madrid strike planned for October

The dispute in Madrid is likely to become one of the biggest education stories of the autumn. CCOO and UGT have called an indefinite strike in public, non-university education from Wednesday October 14. Teachers are demanding changes including fewer teaching hours, smaller classes, improved salaries and more resources for special education.

They are also calling for less bureaucracy and improvements to school buildings, including better air conditioning.

The regional government says it is already increasing resources. It plans to add 1,280 teachers for the new academic year, reduce secondary school class sizes to a maximum of 25 pupils and build 49 new education centres.

Unions say previous agreements have not gone far enough and are calling for negotiations before the October strike begins.

There is also likely to be activity before then, with CSIF planning demonstrations from September 16.

The Valencian Community has its own date to watch. Teachers' unions have called demonstrations in Alicante, Valencia and Castellón on Saturday September 12. The action follows months of disagreement over salaries, staffing, class sizes, bureaucracy, school infrastructure and the use of Valencian in education.

Strike action in the region was suspended in June following a new proposal from the education authorities, but it wasn't formally cancelled. Unions have continued to discuss further action for September. Elsewhere, the autumn calendar is also beginning to fill up.

The Balearic Islands has a series of protests planned during September, with a general strike in the 0-3 education sector scheduled for October 6. Andalucía is preparing for an education strike on November 11, while there are also planned or possible protests in Aragón, Cantabria and Castilla-La Mancha.

For families living in Spain, the important point is that schools are still expected to open on their scheduled dates. The potential disruption will depend on the region and whether negotiations manage to prevent further strikes.

After a long summer, teachers are heading back to their classrooms with many of the same concerns they had at the end of the last academic year. The next few weeks will show whether those concerns can be dealt with around the negotiating table, or whether another autumn of protests lies ahead.

Images:STEPV-Iv