EPIC expresses its concern regarding the Ministry’s proposal to significantly reduce class size limits across several educational stages, despite the fact that no impact assessment has been made public to date and no dialogue has been initiated with the organisations representing the education sector.
We believe that a reform of this magnitude should be preceded by rigorous studies assessing its economic, employment, organisational and educational consequences, as well as by a participatory process that reflects the reality faced by schools.
Reducing class sizes in a context of demographic decline
Furthermore, this proposal comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Catalan education system. Falling birth rates are already leading to a sustained decline in student enrolment, forcing many schools to adapt both their organisational structures and their educational provision. Introducing lower class size limits in this context could further increase the organisational and financial challenges already faced by many educational institutions.
Reducing the maximum number of students per classroom would directly reduce schools’ enrolment capacity while leaving most structural costs unchanged. Without an adequate funding model, this measure could jeopardise the viability of many schools, particularly small and medium-sized institutions, affect employment in a sector that provides jobs for thousands of professionals, and ultimately increase the financial burden on families.
Such a scenario could also reduce access to certain educational projects, limit families’ freedom of choice and weaken the diversity of educational provision. EPIC wishes to emphasise that the independent school sector is an integral part of the Catalan education system, making a significant contribution to ensuring a diverse, complementary and socially responsive educational offer.
The OECD advises against a general reduction in class sizes
These concerns are consistent with the conclusions of the OECD’s recent report on the Catalan education system, presented by the Department of Education. The OECD advises against a blanket reduction in class sizes and recommends targeting such measures at schools facing the greatest levels of educational complexity, where their impact is likely to be more effective. According to the OECD, a general reduction in class sizes entails a very high economic cost without sufficient evidence of significant improvements in learning outcomes.
National organisations representing the independent education sector have also warned about the consequences of implementing such a measure without adequate funding or prior planning. According to their estimates, the reform could lead to the closure of more than 5,000 independent schools across Spain, the loss of around 60,000 jobs, and leave approximately 224,000 students without a school place.
EPIC calls for dialogue and evidence-based reform
For these reasons, EPIC believes that any modification of class size limits should be preceded by a thorough assessment of its impact on the education system as a whole and accompanied by the necessary resources to ensure that implementation is both feasible and sustainable.
EPIC reiterates its willingness to participate actively in any dialogue aimed at improving the Catalan education system. However, we firmly believe that no structural reform should be implemented without taking into account the reality faced by schools, the current demographic context and the need to preserve a sustainable, plural education system capable of guaranteeing all families access to a sufficient and high-quality educational offer.