Public Education Protests Return with November March: “For a Dignified, Quality Education”

After several months, demonstrations in defense of public education are returning. Since October, gatherings known as “Green Wednesdays” have been held every Wednesday at the gates of public schools during recess and at the start of the school day. The action will be repeated on November 4. This will lead up to a major demonstration on November 18 at 6:00 p.m. Called by the CGT union, teachers, students and families will set off from Zaragoza’s Plaza de España in a green wave through the city center. It will be the first mobilization since the school year began last September. The aim of these actions is to “make visible” the group’s various demands to the wider education community and Aragonese society. These include opposition to government-subsidized and/or privatized non-compulsory education, such as the proposed subsidization of upper secondary education that was halted last June. “For a dignified public school system with resources!” they say. They are also demanding improved pay conditions, increased staffing allocations to meet schools’ needs and lower student-to-teacher ratios. The regulation of extracurricular activities and school trips will also be on the agenda. Teachers believe the lack of legal certainty is causing problems in schools.