State-Subsidized Private Schools Announce Joining June Strike
Following the turmoil in the Valencian Community’s public education system, the previously more stable state-subsidized private (Concertada) school system has also joined the protests. On May 22, 2026, the five main unions representing these schools—FSIE-CV, USOCV, CCOO-PV, UGT, and STEPV-IV—issued a joint statement announcing the start of indefinite protests and intermittent strikes.
The unions stated that this action was taken after multiple rounds of negotiations with the Regional Minister of Education, Carmen Ortí, failed to achieve substantial progress, citing her negative attitude towards the teachers’ demands. This move signifies a major escalation of the protests.
June Protest and Strike Schedule Announced
The joint union statement detailed a plan for strikes and protest activities in June, aimed at pressuring the regional government. The schedule is as follows:
- Wednesday, June 3: First wave of strikes from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM.
- Wednesday, June 10: Second wave of strikes from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM, with a protest rally organized for teaching staff in front of the Regional Ministry of Finance from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
- Wednesday, June 17: Protests will culminate. A strike will be held from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM, with a rally outside the regional parliament (Les Corts) starting at 9:30 AM. That evening, at 6:00 PM, large-scale demonstrations will be held simultaneously in the provincial capitals of Valencia, Alicante, and Castellón.
Higher Education Institutions Show Solidarity
As the protests in primary and secondary education continue to grow, higher education institutions have also become involved. Following statements from over ten academic bodies at the University of Valencia (UV), the University of Alicante has now officially expressed its support.
The Faculty of Education at the University of Alicante, a key teacher training center in the region, issued an official statement in clear support of front-line teachers. The statement emphasizes that “defending the quality of the public education system is to defend the dignity of the next generation and all education professionals.” The faculty’s leadership stated they could not ignore the difficult working conditions faced by their graduates and current teachers.
Core Demands of the Teachers
The core demands of this large-scale protest, as reiterated in the statement by the University of Alicante’s Faculty of Education, focus on improving teaching and working conditions. These include:
- Reducing student-to-teacher ratios to improve the quality of teaching.
- Restoring and guaranteeing permanent teaching positions to stabilize the teaching workforce.
- Improving school infrastructure to ensure safe and adequate learning environments.
- Providing decent working conditions and fair pay.
These demands reflect the multiple pressures and challenges currently facing the education system in the Valencian Community.
