Barcelona’s university entrance exams began calmly on Tuesday, with thousands of students across Catalonia sitting the PAU without major incidents. Many arrived early at centres such as the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya Campus Nord in Barcelona, after warnings of a teachers’ strike and possible mobility restrictions linked to the Pope’s visit.

Teachers Montse and Sergi, from Institut Joan Miró in Cornellà de Llobregat, brought their students to Campus Nord at 07:00, well before their usual 07:45 meeting time. Montse told TOT Barcelona they had moved the call time forward in case travel problems meant the exam could be suspended, but in the end they found no incidents and everyone arrived.

The Department of Education said strike participation stood at 3.55%, based on data from one-third of the centres with staff called to mobilise. Montse, an English teacher, said she had joined previous strikes but chose not to on this day. Sergi said half the teaching staff was on school trips, and added that those trips will stop from next year. He also pointed to the responsibility of supervising children for 50 euros gross a day.

Students said the early start helped. Jon, from Sant Feliu de Llobregat, said the first exam was “quite easy” and that what they had done during the course was enough. Mireia, from Papiol, said she and her mother came early because of the strike and the Pope’s arrival, but still reached the centre without problems and felt confident about the test.

Other students also planned around the morning rush. Pau and Laia travelled from Sant Andreu de la Barca on a coach arranged by the local council, while Sira and Miguel came from Molins de Rei by train and tram. Inés, from Barcelona’s Vila de Gràcia district, also arrived before 08:00 and said she had worried about the strike and the Pope, but everything went smoothly. She later headed off to prepare for her English Language exam at 12:00.

The first day of the PAU passed without major disruption, giving some relief to students and families in Barcelona and across Catalonia. For more local coverage, see our Community and Sport pages.

Originally published by Tot Barcelona. Read the original article.