Students participating in the Balearic government's Linguistic Segregation Plan are achieving substantially lower results in Catalan than in Spanish, with a 20-point gap between the two languages. Education ministry data released to the STEI teachers union shows that in fourth-year primary assessments conducted in October 2024, Catalan scored an average of 38 points out of 100, compared to 58 points in Spanish.
The initial evaluation was conducted across 11 schools that enrolled in the pilot scheme for the 2024-2025 academic year, although this number has since increased to 20 schools. The results have sparked criticism from the STEI union, which argues the figures demonstrate fundamental flaws in the government's approach to linguistic development.
Union Challenges Plan Effectiveness
The STEI contends that the pilot scheme, whilst mandating schools "adopt measures to compensate for possible deficiencies in either official language", is failing to deliver balanced linguistic competency. The union points out that the data reveals significant imbalance, particularly affecting Catalan. This aligns with recent reports from the Institute for the Evaluation and Quality of the Education System (IAQSE), which documented a 15-point decline in Catalan at secondary level in 2025.
The STEI characterises the plan as "segregatory" and argues it undermines minimum curriculum requirements and individual school language projects. The union has criticised Education Minister Antoni Vera, accusing him of prioritising political considerations over educational pedagogy. "These arguments have no pedagogical consistency or justification beyond trading the Catalan language for Vox parliamentary support," the union stated.
Government Defends Pilot Status
Ministers defended the results as preliminary findings. Vera explained that the pilot scheme includes an initial assessment before implementation and a final assessment after three years, designed to measure student progress over the longer term. "If we analyse the data, the main problem is detected in fourth-year primary, particularly in written expression," he said.
Vera emphasised that the pilot respects minimum curriculum requirements, ensures Catalan teaching hours are met, and remains voluntary for schools. He acknowledged broader challenges across the Balearic education system, including difficulties in Catalan, English, mathematics, Spanish, and school dropout rates. However, he highlighted recent improvements in dropout rates, attributing this partly to vocational education expansion.
Next Steps Unclear
The STEI is calling for the plan's withdrawal and demanding the government redirect resources towards structural education challenges, including smaller class sizes and infrastructure improvements. The government indicates a comprehensive analysis will follow the final assessment, which will inform future policy decisions. The three-year pilot programme will continue with regular monitoring.
