A total of 391 parent associations have signed a petition submitted by the Federated Associations of Families of Students of Catalonia (aFFaC) to the Department of Education, calling for a solution to keep or restore school camps and outings at public schools.
The initiative reflects families’ concern about the suspension of these activities at several schools amid education staff’s workplace demands. aFFaC says trips and camps are an important part of education because they connect classroom learning with the surrounding environment, encourage social interaction and help students develop independence and group cohesion. The federation says their disappearance would mean the loss of educational opportunities.
In a statement, aFFaC recognized the legitimacy of teachers’ demands and urged the department to address the labor, organizational and financial issues that make it difficult to hold the activities. The federation argued that protecting staff working conditions and preserving educational opportunities for students are compatible goals.
AFA president Jordi de Carreras said families did not want students’ right to a quality education set against education professionals’ labor rights. He called on the department to take responsibility, resume negotiations and offer solutions.
The federation also warned that cancellations could shift responsibility for organizing trips and camps to parent associations. If these activities depend on families’ financial resources, organizational capacity or availability, aFFaC said, inequalities between schools and students could deepen.
The petition asks the department to restart negotiations with education unions and create a space for dialogue with the wider education community. aFFaC said resolving disputes in education requires dialogue, concrete commitments and a willingness by the administration to reach agreement, without passing the consequences on to students and families.
Sources: elDiario.es.