Joint Investment to Modernise Barcelona’s Schools
The Barcelona City Council and the Catalan Department of Education and Professional Training are investing €71 million by 2026 to improve nearly 150 educational centres across the city. The aim is to ensure equitable, accessible, and modern schooling for all residents. Of this sum, the city council will contribute €55.5 million, while the Generalitat will provide €15.5 million. The funding will support 188 improvement actions across 148 schools, with 126 projects already underway.
New School Buildings and Relocations
Work has begun on the new Institut Escola Cal Maiol at the Can Batlló complex, which will become an all-through school from the next academic year. Other new sites include Escola Gaia, relocating to two halls in the former umbrella factory on Carrer Dos de Maig, 189, and Institut Escola Xirinacs, moving into a hall within the La Model complex. Students and staff at Institut Vallcarca will move into their new building in September, currently under construction. Escola Entença is set to relocate to a new site on Carrer Provença, 178, formerly a fire service station, during the 2029–2030 academic year.
The calendar has also been agreed for the creation of the Escola Cal Maiol, the Escola Mallorca and the Escola Els 30 Passos, which will become an all-through school from the next academic year.
Els 30 Passos, Mallorca, and Cal Maiol will all become all-through schools once their permanent premises are completed, while Xirinacs will transition in the 2026–2027 school year.
Energy Efficiency and Facility Upgrades
Almost €18 million is allocated to improving the energy and environmental performance of school buildings, including upgrades to playgrounds and midday dining areas. This includes air-conditioning installations: last summer, 30 school buildings were retrofitted under the Climate Plan using nearly €23 million, with a further €9 million planned for 16 post-compulsory education centres such as Institut Pablo Ruiz Picasso and Institut del Disseny i Arts Gràfiques. Additional funds exceeding €500,000 each will support technical adaptations in existing centres, particularly those transitioning into school-institutes in northern Barcelona. Major renovations are planned for Institut Escola Sant Felip Neri, La Flor de Maig, and Mallorca. The Lexia Special Education Centre will also be incorporated into the public network, marking a key step in inclusive education access.
Expanded Funding for Accessibility and Expansion
The Department of Education has committed an additional €7 million for school enlargements and improvements, raising its annual contribution from €3.5 million to €10.5 million in 2026. Much of this increase will fund accessibility and energy efficiency upgrades at secondary and all-through schools. The Barcelona Education Consortium will manage construction and can directly award contracts for projects under €15 million. Further details on the funding agreement are available via the Barcelona City Council’s official portal.
Primary sources: Barcelona City Council, govern.cat, ajuntament.barcelona.cat, barcelona.cat, Ayuntamiento de Barcelona. Reported by La Vanguardia, barna.news, en.ara.cat, El Periódico, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life.
