Language preferences in the Balearic Islands
According to the data revealed in a press release from the Ministry of Education and Universities, 78.5% of families residing in the Balearic Islands have chosen Catalan as the language for children’s education, while Spanish has been selected by 16% and 5% did not provide information about it. These figures are particularly prominent in Menorca, where the preference for Catalan has reached almost 90%.
Significance of these Results
The data obtained once again underline the strong support that families in the Balearic Islands have for the educational model that promotes teaching in Catalan. The Teachers’ Assembly has highlighted that this model has proven to be effective over several decades, in terms of key objectives such as integration and social cohesion, as well as equal opportunities for all students.
Criticism of the Linguistic Segregation Pilot Plan
The low acceptance of the Pilot Plan for linguistic segregation in the school system, with only 11 schools having signed up, together with the results indicating the children’s language choice, show that the Ministry’s priorities during this first year have been totally inadequate. The Teachers’ Assembly urges efforts to be redirected in educational matters towards practical and non-ideological issues.
Context of Freedom of Linguistic Choice
Although the Ministry has declared that it is the first time that families can exercise the language choice in initial education, this practice had already been a previous concern of previous governments, such as that of Antonio Matas, who implemented similar regulations . Between 2011 and 2013, families already showed a clear preference for Catalan in their children, with percentages exceeding 60%.
Restriction in the Linguistic Choice
The Teachers’ Assembly has recalled that the right to choose a language is only recognized for early childhood education and that it involves personalized attention from 6 to 16 hours a week. In addition, they have warned that educational centers will not receive additional resources to guarantee this care, which can generate logistical and organizational difficulties, especially in centers with higher care needs.