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118 Million Euro Agreement for Subsidised School Teachers
The Catalan Government has approved a 118 million euro agreement to improve working conditions for teachers in subsidised (concertada) schools, effective from the current academic year. The deal, finalised in July and ratified on Tuesday 27th October 2026, covers the 2026–2031 period and aims to reduce teaching hours, enhance sick leave coverage, and improve pay for specific roles. The agreement was reached between the Department of Education and Vocational Training, led by Minister Esther Niubó, and education sector unions and employer organisations. It applies specifically to teaching staff whose salaries are paid through delegated funding from the Generalitat, meaning the regional government disburses their wages.
Gradual Reduction in Teaching Hours
A central measure is the phased reduction of teaching hours. For the current 2026–2027 academic year, teachers aged 58 and over will see a two-hour weekly reduction in classroom duties. From the 2027–2028 school year, secondary and post-compulsory education teachers will also benefit from a two-hour reduction. Further reductions are scheduled: one hour less per week for primary and infant education teachers in the 2028–2029 and 2029–2030 academic years, and one additional hour reduction for secondary teachers in 2030–2031. The goal is to align teaching loads in subsidised schools with those in public schools. Currently, this will bring weekly teaching hours in subsidised schools to 23 for primary and 22 for secondary levels, closer to public school norms but still above the 18-hour teaching week for ESO (compulsory secondary education) teachers in the public network.
Improved Sick Leave and Pay Equity
The agreement significantly improves medical leave provisions. Teachers in subsidised schools will now be replaced from the seventh day of incapacity, down from the previous sixteenth day, bringing their coverage in line with public school teachers. Additionally, the deal includes salary improvements for certain teaching positions and functions. This includes pay equity measures for vocational training technical teachers and art workshop teachers who lack the formal qualifications to join the secondary teaching corps under state regulations.
The full alignment was too much investment at once, but this is a major step forward,
, Jose Domínguez, CCOO education union representative, said, acknowledging employer concerns. UGT education secretary Cristina Martín noted ongoing recruitment challenges in the subsidised sector, particularly for specialist subjects such as mathematics and physics.
Partial Coverage and Ongoing Negotiations
The agreement currently covers only teachers with delegated pay. Some subsidised school staff are paid directly by private employers or through mixed funding models. Union representatives confirm that extending the agreement to these groups remains a goal for future negotiations. The Department of Economy and Finance has been instructed to validate the necessary budget adjustments to implement the measures. The investment is part of a broader effort by the Generalitat to reverse previous education sector cuts and standardise working conditions across publicly funded schools.
Sources: Govern de Catalunya, El Periódico, El Món.
