Lower 'Matrícula Viva' Eases Pressure on Schools

More than 27,600 students have started the 2026–2027 school year in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia's second-largest city, amid a significant decline in late enrolments. Between 29 April and 4 September, 777 applications were submitted outside the regular enrolment period, known as 'matrícula viva', 563 fewer than the same period last year, when over 1,000 were recorded. Of this year’s late applications, 448 were for the second cycle of early childhood and primary education, and 329 for secondary education (ESO). Although still high, the figure marks the lowest level in recent years and offers temporary relief to schools historically strained by overcrowding and last-minute admissions.

This academic year, the ratio of 20 students per classroom in I3 is maintained throughout the city.

The drop follows two years in which late enrolments exceeded 1,000, placing pressure on classroom capacity and adaptation programmes, especially for language support. According to data from L'Hospitalet City Council and the Department of Education, the decline may reflect improved planning or demographic shifts.

New Public School Opens in Sanfeliu

A key development this year is the opening of a new public school in the Sanfeliu neighbourhood, replacing the former subsidized Sanfeliu school which closed suddenly in 2025. The new single-line public centre now operates from the former Joanot Martorell school building, which previously housed L'Hospitalet’s Educational Services. This summer, the Department of Education and the city council carried out refurbishments to prepare the site. The relocation of administrative services from the building had sparked local debate earlier in the year. Five new municipal early childhood schools also joined the network this term, adding 333 places. Municipal early childhood centres now host 616 children in adaptation programmes, while three Generalitat-run centres serve 295 children.

Changes in Secondary Education Groups

In ESO, the classroom ratio remains at 27 students per group in schools of maximum complexity and 30 in others. A new fourth-year ESO group has opened at both Torras i Bages and Pere Lliscart institute-schools, and a first-year group at Bisbe Berenguer institute. Torras i Bages has also reinstated a first-year ESO group. However, the planned fourth-year ESO group at Institut Bellvitge will not open due to low demand, despite being initially intended for students displaced by the loss of subsidized status at Opus Xaloc and Pineda schools. The third-year ESO group at Bellvitge remains active for 'matrícula viva' students. Two additional ESO groups continue in subsidized centres: first-year at Centre Bellvitge-Joan XXIII and second-year at Col·legi Pare Enric d’Ossó.

Primary Education Adjustments

In primary education, a sixth-grade group has been added at Provençana and Bernat Metge schools. The latter will maintain its sixth-grade class specifically for late enrolments. However, planned first, second, and third-grade groups at Bellvitge school, and fourth and fifth grades at Bernat Metge, will not open due to lack of demand. The city maintains a 20-student maximum ratio in I3 (first year of early childhood education) across all centres.

Expansion Continues at Pere Lliscart Institute-School

The expansion of Pere Lliscart institute-school continues this year with new classrooms in a recently completed building. The space will allow the relocation of early childhood students from the annex building and first and second-year ESO students from the modular units in Plaça del Cadí. It will also house first-grade primary students and specialist classrooms for art, music, and workshops.

Primary sources: l-h.cat. Reported by elperiodico.com, metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, tot-hospitalet.cat, lhdigital.cat, El Periódico Barcelona.