Andorra Confirms No Exclusion of Catalan Teachers from Spanish School Training
Minister Ladislau Baró clarified that training under the Spain-Andorra education pact is accessible to all eligible professionals, countering parliamentary concerns about access barriers for non-María Moliner staff.
Key Points
- Government checked records and found no exclusions under 2005 Spain-Andorra agreement
- Andorran Formation teachers have equal priority access to María Moliner training plan
- No course demand exceeded places; open days welcomed all Spanish system professionals since 2023
- Issue raised by Susanna Vela to be discussed in next bilateral commission
The Andorran government has reiterated that it has no record of any exclusion of teachers from other schools, including Catalan language instructors, from training activities at the Spanish María Moliner school under the 2005 Spain-Andorra education agreement.
Education and Institutional Relations Minister Ladislau Baró addressed concerns raised by Susanna Vela, leader of the Social Democratic parliamentary group. Vela submitted a formal request on 24 July to the Secretary of State for Education, prompting checks with Spain's Education Counsellorship at the embassy and Andorra's School Andorrana department.
Officials confirmed that Andorran Formation teachers can join the school's annual training plan with equal priority to María Moliner staff. The plan draws on needs identified by its own teachers and follows guidelines from Spain's National Institute for Educational Technologies and Teacher Training (INTEF). Access channels remain open for third-party schools, including those under the ministry, Andorran Formation, and the Fundació Privada Nostra Senyora de Meritxell, with no evidence of discriminatory directives or restrictions.
No course has seen demand exceed available places to date. Since 2023, four annual open training days have welcomed all professionals in Andorra's Spanish education system, including staff from Andorran Formation and congregational schools. Teachers from Mare de Déu de Meritxell and other congregational centres have also joined two specific María Moliner courses as observers at their own request.
The government maintains that Article 6.2.e of the agreement allows sessions tailored to specific staff needs without mandating equal representation across groups. It found no breach of the pact after reviewing records from Andorran Schools, Andorran Formation, and Vocational Training departments.
The issue, which emerged after the last official meeting, will feature on the agenda of the next bilateral technical education commission session.
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