Students summoned by the SEPC have formed pickets this Tuesday morning at the gates of Institut Montserrat Roig to block access to the center and prevent the normal development of classes. The protest is part of the strike in secondary schools and universities with which the student union joins the demands of the teaching staff in Catalonia.
The mobilization coincides with a new negotiation attempt between the Departament d'Educació and the teaching unions, summoned this Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. after three meetings last week without agreement. While the administration and labor representatives continue to negotiate, the student call adds pressure in the streets and in the schools before the educational strike planned for Wednesday, May 27.
Educació meets again at 5:30 p.m. after three meetings without agreement
The SEPC demands improvements in the working conditions of teachers and a reduction in class sizes. The union links its strike in secondary schools and universities to these same demands, which place the conflict beyond an exclusively student protest.
In its statement, the organization conveyed its support for the assemblies and teaching unions in their demand for changes in the educational system. It also argued that students must get involved so that the mobilizations lead to effective and immediate measures.
"We give our full unconditional support to the demands of the assemblies and teaching unions in their fight to improve the working conditions of teachers" - SEPC, Sindicat d'Estudiants dels Països Catalans
The negotiation opened with the Departament d'Educació comes after three meetings held last week that ended without agreement. The calendar, for now, maintains the pressure on both sides on the eve of the end of the academic year.
SEPC calls for secondary schools and universities to strike on May 27
During the morning, the most visible action was concentrated at the Institut Montserrat Roig, where pickets tried to prevent access to the center. The call, however, has a reach throughout Catalonia and seeks to extend the follow-up to both secondary and university education.
The union maintains that the current moment obliges students to speak out and participate in the defense of a dignified education. The educational strike called for next Wednesday, May 27, has been presented under the slogan "Without dignified conditions, we will not finish the course".
Barcelona will host one of the main mobilizations of the day. The demonstration is called for at 10 a.m. at pla de Palau and will end at plaça de les Drassanes, with the participation of teachers and families expected.