This Monday, as the indefinite Education strike began, Second-year Baccalaureate students like Elena and Casilda attended centers such as IES Lluís Vives for their global tests. Despite a press call by unions, the day proceeded without significant incidents. The students, speaking to the media, expressed their understanding of the teachers' decision to strike, stating that «they are within their rights».
Elena expressed her confidence that the strike, supported by the five unions of the Public Education Sectoral Board (STEPV, CSIF, CCOO, UGT, and ANPE), would not harm them as students. She fully understands the reasons that led teachers to this decision, highlighting the problem of high student-teacher ratios. «In class there are 30 students and it shows, you can't pay attention, it's too many people,» she explained. Ratios are one of the main concerns also shared by students, along with infrastructure deficiencies.
Facility conditions are another point of complaint. Elena pointed out the lack of air conditioning in her center, a situation confirmed by her classmate Casilda, who added that «no fans either». Casilda recalled that «this winter the boiler broke down and we all ended up with blankets,» describing the institute as «old» and with extreme temperatures, «very hot in summer and very cold in winter».
“"It's their job and their life, but they won't harm us. They are very professional, they will give their all for us."
Students trust in their teachers' commitment. Casilda commented that all the teachers she spoke with about the issue assured her they would strike, but with the promise not to harm them. Elena reinforced this idea, stating that «they are very professional, they will give their all for us.» Now, with global exams underway, one of their main concerns is the graduation ceremony. «In some institutes in Picassent and Algemesí it has been postponed or canceled, I hope they don't do it here: it's a nice thing to say goodbye to teachers and everyone, and I already have my dress,» said Elena.
Other Second-year Baccalaureate students, such as Marta and Carmen, also took exams in subjects like Business and General Sciences. Teachers confirmed that the tests would proceed despite the strike. Marta showed particular sensitivity to the issue of ratios, indicating that «we are almost 40 people in class, when many people are absent it's much better, much calmer.» Carmen added the problem of heat in the classrooms, which sometimes becomes «almost unbearable».
The teacher strike has generated diverse opinions among students from other grades. Lia, a First-year ESO student, believes that teachers' discontent «is something that has accumulated for a long time.» For her part, Tecla, with other more immediate concerns, expressed that «I don't care, I have to catch up on two terms.»
Parents have also shown their support for the strike. A high school teacher and parent, attended the doors of CEIP Cervantes in Valencia with a protest shirt in defense of public education. She expressed her support for the strike, arguing that «things are being requested that benefit our children and are very important, such as staffing ratios for inclusion.» She urged the Conselleria to negotiate, listing the demands: fewer students per teacher, more staff for the inclusion of students with special educational needs, improvements in infrastructure (such as the lack of awnings or fans), and a decent salary for teachers, in addition to the defense of Valencian in public education.
