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Barcelona Education Officials Announce Class Size Cuts for 2026-2027 School Year
Education authorities outline adjustments to public school operations while responding to prior teacher actions and integration plans.
How we reported this
Education officials are preparing public schools in Barcelona for the 2026-2027 academic year with new limits on class sizes. Seventy-three percent of infant and primary education centers will be capped at a maximum of 20 students per class, while 27 percent will be limited to 21 students.
Class Size Adjustments and Integration Plans
These measures form part of broader efforts to improve learning conditions. Officials have also confirmed that the Centro de Educación Especial (CEE) concertado Lexia in Gràcia will integrate into the public school network starting in the same academic year. The change adds a specialized center to the public system at a time when authorities continue to address demands raised during earlier teacher actions.
Context from Recent Teacher Actions
Large-scale teacher strikes and demonstrations took place in Barcelona in early 2026. Participants called for budget reversals, a fair 35-hour work week, and better learning environments. The timing overlapped with Pope Leo XIV's visit to the city. Officials have since incorporated some of these concerns into planning for the coming year, focusing on practical steps such as smaller classes and expanded public options.
Evidence from the 2024 Report and International Growth
The Education Opportunities Report 2024 documented progress on equity. Equity indices fell from 0.49 to 0.39 in pre-primary and primary education and from 0.44 to 0.34 in secondary education, confirming reduced school segregation. Separately, Barcelona's international schools have reached 31 institutions serving 13,361 students after nearly doubling over the past decade. Officials note that these figures reflect ongoing enrollment patterns alongside the planned public network changes.
Families preparing for the 2026-2027 year can review enrollment details through official channels as the adjustments take effect. The combination of smaller classes, the Lexia integration, and continued attention to working conditions sets the immediate priorities for school operations.