Concerns Over Educational Privatization in the Basque Country

• The Basque Education Law is facing criticism for favoring private institutions at the expense of the public school system.
• Critics argue that public schools are shrinking while private schools receive continued state support and classroom expansions.
• Public schools currently host 70% of immigrant students with minimal additional resources, highlighting systemic inequity.

Legislative Context

• The 'Education Pact' was approved in April 2022, leading to the Education Law passed in December 2023.
• While initially backed by various political parties including the PNV, PSE-EE, EH Bildu, and Elkarrekin Podemos-IU, the resulting law has been labeled a betrayal of public education values.
• Opponents claim the law serves to protect private schools against declining birth rates rather than strengthening the public sector.

Funding and Disparities

• The Basque Country holds the highest rate of private school enrollment and public subsidization in Spain.
• Despite claims of supporting universal access, the Department of Education recently allocated an extra 15 million euros to private schools, which often fail to enroll diverse student populations.
• Observers note that while public school classrooms and centers disappear, the government continues to prioritize private interests over equitable educational opportunities.