El gobierno cubrirá costos para incluir catalán en escuelas europeas.
The government has managed to obtain the proposal to grant Catalan as another national language (OLN) for students of Spanish origin in European schools, as confirmed by community sources to Europa Press. The decision was made by the board of European schools gathered in Cyprus, with the condition that Spain covers the total cost of implementing the plan to ensure budget neutrality. It was emphasized that this decision does not set a precedent for other languages.
The executive of the community also highlights that the implementation of Catalan in European schools could affect the position of the Member States. This decision only pertains to the school body and not the twenty-seven years, which are competent to decide on reforms regarding Catalan, Galician, and other community languages. Other sources confirmed that Europa Press was used to pay teachers and additional costs, as requested from the European Commission.
Although the Ministry of Education has expressed willingness to cover all associated costs, no specific figures have been provided as the project is still in the preliminary stage. The Spanish executive’s request affirms the Ministry’s readiness to cover the expenses involved in the proposal, without specifying the scope, number of students, or budget level. The government’s plan focuses solely on Catalan and does not include the other two languages, CooF, BASCE, and Galician. However, future steps to extend the measure to these languages have not been ruled out.
European schools are educational institutions jointly created by EU governments to offer multicultural and multilingual education primarily to the children of EU institution officials. They have legal status as public education centers in their respective countries and provide early, primary, and secondary education through a specific curriculum overseen by the European School Inspection Board.
The government argues for equal treatment of Catalan with other national languages, citing specific provisions for teaching other national languages when students’ home countries have more than one recognized national language in the European school system. Spanish students of origin can now choose Catalan as another national language regardless of their linguistic section.
Recognition of Catalan as an official language of the EU is a commitment made by the PSOE in President Pedro Sánchez’s government investment agreement. However, unanimous reform of EU language regulations by the twenty-seven countries is required, which faces reservations from several nations. During Spain’s EU Council presidency, efforts were made to include Catalan, Basque, and Galician officials in EU ministerial agendas, emphasizing the uniqueness of the Spanish case and assuming costs.
Countries hesitant to amend regulatory requests are conducting legal analyses on the possible inclusion of regional languages, evaluating costs and practical implications. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has requested the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, to use Catalan, Galician, and Basque in Eurocamara plenary sessions, aligning with existing administrative agreements Spain has with EU institutions.
The process of analyzing this request is ongoing, with no set timeline for conclusion.
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