The Generalitat has allocated 8,356 million euros to the Department of Education and Vocational Training in the 2026 Budgets, which is 1,642 million more than in the 2023 accounts. This increase of 24.46% will be directed, mainly, to strengthening vocational training, modernizing the educational system, and expanding teaching staff and PAS and PAE personnel.
In her speech before the Education and Vocational Training Commission of the Parliament this Thursday, where she detailed the figures, the minister Esther Niubó stressed that the budget grows by 90% compared to 2015 and that it is the "highest budget in the history of Catalonia in educational matters".
In relation to spending per student, she explained that "an investment per student of 6,300 euros is allocated this academic year, which contrasts with the 3,700 from 10 years ago." She also emphasized that the Department concentrates more than 20% of the Generalitat's total budget and that this allocation allows the educational system to be underpinned.
The department's accounts reserve 639 million euros for educational improvement and equity: 162 million will be directed to the funding of nursery schools; 253 million will be dedicated to school canteen and transport services; and 42 million will be aimed at strengthening students' instrumental skills.
Among the resources planned for the period 2026-2030, 18.8 million are contemplated for the School Libraries Plan and the reading comprehension shock plan, as well as the creation of 100,000 new school meal grants.
Inclusive School and Attention to Diversity
In parallel, 376 million will be allocated to inclusive education. Of these, 182 million are reserved for professionals specialized in inclusion, which translates into 9,864 positions; 69 million will be dedicated to educational support staff (PAE), which will add 4,823 professionals; to these items, approximately 50 million are added for monitors, training, and support programs, and 75 million for reception classrooms.
Regarding the resources committed until 2030, it is planned to invest 3.7 million in special education centers, incorporate 158 psychopedagogues in the EAP, add social educators in institutes of maximum complexity, and allocate an additional 21 million euros to reception classrooms.
Air Conditioning and Educational Infrastructure
Niubó has highlighted that the agreements reached with ERC and the Comuns allow "to reinforce and update the educational system, especially with educational infrastructures". Within this framework, 400 million euros will be invested in educational infrastructures by 2030, and the Climate Plan will be reinforced, receiving an additional 100 million to meet the needs of the centers.
According to the minister, these accounts facilitate progress towards a "global climate adaptation strategy in educational centers", with measures such as the allocation of 20 million euros to install fans in classrooms and in the centers most affected by high temperatures.
Boost for Vocational Training and Lifelong Learning
The budget includes 672 million euros for Vocational Training (FP) and lifelong learning. Niubó has pointed out that these funds "allow us to consolidate the historical growth of FP places" initiated by the Government in recent years.
In this area, 27.5 million euros are allocated to improve equity, training continuity, and new opportunities; 18.8 million euros to increase teaching staff linked to the growth in FP groups; and 4.6 million euros to strengthen educational and professional guidance for FP students.
Likewise, 8.3 million euros are earmarked to renew the technical equipment for FP cycles and integrated centers; 1.8 million euros to promote dual FP and improve students' job placement; 4.5 million euros for innovation, teacher training, and international student mobility; and 1.5 million euros for the training and accreditation of basic competencies, with the aim of making access to FP more flexible.
By 2026-2030, the creation of 60 new intermediate and basic level FP groups is projected, with special attention to new opportunity centers.
Modernization of the Educational System
The educational system modernization plan will have 333 million euros. Of this amount, 100 million will be dedicated to the Pla Actualitza Escoles, a new investment fund for center renovations; 40.9 million will be used for the construction of 21 new schools and institutes; 33.9 million will be allocated to renovation, adaptation, and equipment improvement works; 29.8 million will be used to expand 20 schools and institutes; and 8 million will be reserved for the Pla de Rescat per a la Transformació Digital.
Niubó has insisted that defending the educational system "is also defending the linguistic model, social cohesion, democratic values from the very foundation of the system, from schools and institutes, the true cornerstones of democracy".
Along these lines, 25 librarians will be incorporated and 50 continuous linguistic support teams will be deployed. Furthermore, an annual structural investment of 2.3 million euros will be guaranteed to "ensure the maintenance and continuity of these services".
It is also planned to set up 250 new reception classrooms in public centers, 150 new reception classrooms in the subsidized network, and 50 new provisions for basic vocational training: "We know that linguistic and educational reception is especially important in those training pathways".
Positions of the parliamentary groups
During the debate, deputy Anna Erra (Junts) pointed out that if the percentage of GDP allocated to education were increased, all demands could be met, and questioned whether 8 million euros would be enough for de-bureaucratization. For her part, the Republican Irene Aragonès claimed that "ERC has acted responsibly" in the negotiation of these budgets.
From the PP, Eva García maintained that the budget is the same as three months ago; Manuel Jesús Acosta (Vox) stated that these accounts were not useful three months ago but are now because "the elections in Andalusia have already passed"; and Jéssica Albiach warned that Catalonia cannot start the next academic year with an open educational conflict.
CUP deputy María Pilar Castillejo considered that these accounts "demonstrate that the loss of quality in public education and the difficulties in classrooms are not priority issues" for the Government. In contrast, the Socialist Gisela Navarro highlighted that her group feels deep pride for having agreed to these accounts.