Junta de Andalucía Education: What's New You Need to Know!

We will destripar everything new that brings the Board in education for this course 2024-2025. Yes, there are new and fat. If you are here is because you are a student, teacher, parent or just curious to know what happens with education in Andalusia. I tell you everything! And with my personal touch, because after living it, I think I have the authority to do so. Let's go?

What are the Educational News of the Junta de Andalucía?

First things first: The Junta de Andalucía has boasted this year with the increase in investment in public education. Almost 9,000 million euros! Impressive, isn't it? This 43% increase compared to five years ago is not just for bragging, there are real improvements, such as more places in Vocational Training, salary improvements for teachers, and special attention for students with special educational needs.

Why does this matter? Because we are talking about a direct impact on the quality of education that you or your children will receive.

In addition, classroom ratios have been reduced, especially in primary, where 44% of classes have less than 20 students. Did anyone say less overcrowded classrooms? Yes, you also hear the rumor that educational quality is improving with these numbers. And of course, it's not just me saying it, it's backed up by data from the Andalusian government itself.

Vocational Training (FP): The Jewel in the Crown

If I was talking about investment before, let me tell you about something that is key for the future of many, many young people: Vocational Training. In the last five years, 47,000 new places have been created in public VET. This has been a tremendous relief for students who, until recently, were unable to access a training cycle. Less frustration, more opportunities.

Dual vocational training also continues to grow, with the direct collaboration of companies so that students have real training and internships. This is amazing! I'm telling you, in my day, FP was almost a "plan B". Today, it is a top option.

Free Childcare: A Respite for Families

The big bombshell for Andalusian families comes from the hand of President Juanma Moreno. From the 2025/2026 academic year, 67,000 children between 2 and 3 years will enjoy free childcare. This is not only an economic relief for families, but demonstrates a strong commitment to early education, which is key to the development of the little ones.

Also, there is something we cannot overlook: Andalusia has the highest schooling rate in Spain for children under three years old. 103,800 children in Andalusian daycare centers! What does this mean? More children accessing education from an early age, something that helps reduce inequalities from the start.

Teachers' Salaries: Finally Dignified

I remember my teachers' constant complaints about salaries. Andalusia used to be at the bottom in terms of teacher salaries. Eye to the fact: In 2022 a historic agreement was signed that allowed Andalusian teachers to stop being the lowest paid in Spain. Now, their salaries are at the country's average, with increases of between 2,000 and 2,300 euros per year. It's about time!

This salary increase not only improves working conditions, but can also influence the quality of teaching. A valued teacher is a motivated teacher, and that is noticeable in the classroom.

Technological Innovation and Digitalization: Plan Innova

Today, who can imagine a classroom without technology? The Junta de Andalucía has launched the Plan Innova, an ambitious program to modernize the technological infrastructures of educational centers. Tablets, digital whiteboards, teacher training... And they do not fall short, they have allocated more than 1,500 million euros for digitization alone.

The pandemic accelerated this process, but now is when we are seeing the results. Access to technology is no longer a barrier, but a tool to improve educational quality. If you are a teacher, you know what I'm talking about: more resources, more training and less headaches with obsolete systems!

Inclusive Education: Progress that doesn't stop

Inclusive education has been another major commitment of the Board. Did you know that in this academic year the budget for the attention of special educational needs has grown by 67%? This includes from more specialized staff to specific resources so that no child is left behind. We are talking about 586 million euros destined to ensure that students with special needs receive the attention they deserve! And beware, these are not just fine words. With 13,000 professionals dedicated exclusively to this area, we are facing one of the most solid pillars of the current Andalusian education system.

The Future: What Else Can We Expect?

Although we have already seen a lot of improvements, we cannot stop here. The Board continues to work on new laws and reforms. In fact, one of the big goals is to continue to improve teacher empowerment and increase recognition of their work. In 2021 a law was passed to strengthen this figure, but it seems that more is on the way.

And while all this is going on, we -parents, students, and teachers- have to continue to be an active part of this process. Because education is not just the responsibility of the Board, but of all of us. So, now that you're up to date with the news, take advantage of it!