The debate around linguistic immersion
The Petitions committee of the European Parliament has issued a report questioning the educational model based on linguistic immersion in Catalonia. This document was the result of the visit made by several MEPs to the Catalan territory last December, highlighting the conservative and far-right majority of them.
Concern for detected dysfunctions
In the recently approved text, concern is expressed about what is described as ‘serious dysfunctions’ arising from the Catalan educational model for students with Spanish as their mother tongue. An ‘equivalent’ treatment is demanded for the two official languages, Catalan and Spanish, with the aim of guaranteeing an equitable education for all students.
Committee positions and votes
The report has been approved with 19 votes in favor and 6 against, with clear support from conservatives and the far-right sector, despite criticism from progressive forces who consider the text partisan. It should be noted that this report is not binding, as the EU cannot legislate on national education systems.
The positions of the different parties
The groups of the European People’s Party, Renew – with the presence of Citizens – and the Conservatives and Reformists, which includes Vox, supported the approval of the report. On the other hand, socialists, Greens -with ERC- and The Left -with Podemos- expressed their opposition to the same.
Recommendations and calls for equity
The report demands equal treatment between Catalan and Spanish, as well as an independent analysis to evaluate the educational model in Catalonia. Special attention is requested to possible ‘controversies’ and situations of social exclusion detected in the educational system.
Participants in the European mission
The mission that visited Catalonia was mostly conservative and ultra-right, with the prominent presence of members such as Yana Toom, Kosma Zlotowski, Jorge Buxadé and other representatives of conservative parties and Citizens.
Reactions of the political forces
From progressive forces, such as ERC, the approach of the Petitions committee of the European Parliament is criticized, considering it partisan. It was recalled that the EU has no competence in educational and linguistic matters, and the Spanish government was asked to make a clear commitment to the official status of Catalan in the EU.
