391 AFAs call for school trips to return to Catalonia

In Manresa, frustration over the suspension of school trips has already led to protests by secondary school students. The mobilisation ended in a strike and a demonstration with several hundred students.

The Affac, which brings together associations of families from public schools, has taken the conflict to the Departamento de Educación with a collective petition signed by 391 AFAs. It is calling for a solution that would allow school trips and school camps to resume.

Families are asking for a response from the Departamento de Educación

The organisation recognises the legitimacy of the teachers’ demands, but asks the Departamento to resume negotiations and take responsibility. Its president, Jordi de Carreras, argues that the right of students to a quality education should not be set against the labour rights of professionals.

The petition calls for a response regarding working conditions and organisation. It also asks for the economic aspect to be addressed in order to unblock the situation.

For families, school trips connect what is learned in class with the environment and help students get along with each other. They also contribute to students’ independence and group cohesion.

The AFAs organise alternatives with limits

At some centres, families are preparing alternative school camps. The Affac warns that these activities can have educational and community value, although they do not replace those that are part of the school programme.

The employers’ association of school camp houses reminds families that they can organise weekend trips. For an activity to be considered a school camp, a teacher must be present. The Affac warns that shifting the organisation and cost to families could widen the social gap, as not all families can afford that expense.

Concern about inequalities in access to services also appears in the debate on dependency, although here the focus is on school activities.

The boycott is not applied equally in all centres

The campaign is supported by around 1,300 educational centres, more than half of the total. Its implementation varies: some schools and institutes have cancelled all outings, even those nearby during school hours, while others have kept the end-of-year trip.

Staff meetings are not unanimous either. Some voices criticise the blockade and defend school trips as another educational activity.

Students and families are increasingly critical of a conflict which, in their view, adds to existing problems in the system. They point to a lack of teachers and high student-to-teacher ratios; they also mention the lack of training among some teachers.