Andorra Teachers Secure Temporary Fix for Educational Assistant Shortage

Teachers at Andorra's French School in Canillo, along with staff in Encamp and parts of Andorra la Vella, have secured a temporary fix for a key educational assistant vacancy, as the Ministry of Education announced the position will be filled on Monday, January 19.

The ministry, led by Ladis Baró and Josep Anton Bardina, confirmed that since January 7, five support staff absences have depleted their pool of substitutes, despite ongoing interviews. For Canillo's maternal classroom, where one person has been handling children aged just over three to five years amid recurrent shortages, a replacement will start next week. Officials stressed that regulations from an August 4, 2004, decree define assistants' roles in student welfare, supervision, and school climate, with French-system schools allocating one per maternal class plus one for services. They noted teachers handle classes during short-term gaps, providing continuity even without assistants.

The development follows protests from educators over chronic shortages tied to low pay of around €1,000 monthly, which requires workers to cover CASS health contributions and transport—often from distant areas like Sant Julià de Lòria. A recent administrative oversight worsened the Canillo issue: a worker emailed post-Christmas holidays thanking for the opportunity but stating they had taken a better job; the recipient skimmed it and only realized upon non-return at term start.

Professionals demand better pay, benefits, and contract stability, noting many teachers endure 20-year temporary contracts—illegal in private sectors—and accusing the ministry of neglecting recruitment amid Canillo's remoteness. "With what they pay, the ministry can't find anyone, and when they do, they leave as soon as something better comes up," one source said.

In response, the ministry is conducting a structural review of assistant roles across all three education systems to address ongoing challenges, while urging schools to reallocate staff during absences. No further details on the review's timeline were provided.