Students Propose Key Changes to Education System
Four baccalaureate students from a Barcelona high school have contributed their proposals to Catalonia’s ongoing national education debate, calling for school to start later, a rethinking of homework, and compulsory education until the age of 18. The students, Irene, Lea, Marcel, and Quirze, aged 16 and 17, spoke with EL PERIÓDICO as the Consell d’Educació de Catalunya (CEC) prepares to lead a comprehensive review of the education system. Their perspectives come amid a wider initiative launched by President Salvador Illa, who has tasked the CEC with leading a 'great national debate' to address declining educational outcomes, following months of teacher strikes and poor results in the PISA assessments.
Later Start Times and Mental Health Concerns
The students highlighted the impact of early school start times on adolescent well-being. Quirze, aged 16, explained that he returns home from basketball at 11pm, later if not picked up by car, only to be back at school by 8am the next day. 'Starting high school at eight in the morning is lethal for adolescents,' he said. Marcel, also 16, added that while extracurriculars are promoted for mental health, they often contribute to sleep deprivation. 'We often go to bed so late because we do extracurriculars, which they also say are good for mental health,' he noted.
Rethinking Homework and Technology Use
The students agreed that homework has lost its purpose in the age of artificial intelligence. 'With AI, homework has lost its meaning. To demonstrate that you've learned today, the safest way is to study and take exams by hand,' they said, reflecting a growing concern about academic integrity. They also welcomed the recent ban on mobile phones in schools, noting that younger students now interact more during breaks instead of being glued to their devices. Lea pointed out that social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok were created by adults, not children. 'If social media is addictive, it's not by chance. They are specifically designed for us to spend time on them,' she said.
“Children didn't invent Instagram or TikTok; adults did.”, Lea, 1st Year Baccalaureate
Call for Compulsory Education Until Age 18
Quirze advocated for extending compulsory education to age 18, arguing that most of his peers lack clarity about their futures. 'Of all my friends, only one knows what they want to be when they grow up,' he said, adding that continuing education would allow students more time to make informed decisions. The CEC is set to begin formal discussions on 27 October 2026, with the aim of presenting concrete proposals by April 2027. The debate will involve input from teachers, families, students, and local authorities, organised into thematic groups focusing on key challenges in education.
What This Means for You
Parents, students, and educators in Catalonia can expect a series of public consultations and working groups in the coming months. The CEC will lead the process, with final recommendations due by April 2027. For more information on how to participate, visit the Consell d’Educació de Catalunya’s official website.
Primary sources: conselleducacio.gencat.cat, Diputació de Barcelona. Reported by elperiodico.cat, elperiodico.com, Públic, elplural.com, ara.cat, David Expósito J, learningreview.es, elmon.cat, Europa Press, El Periódico Barcelona (CA).
