A few days ago, teachers and students from IES Miguel de Cervantes gathered in front of the Plaza de Toros in Alcázar de San Juan to protest against the closure of the Night Bachelor’s Degree in the town. This modality, which has graduated hundreds of students over the decades, is about to disappear due to economic reasons.
The closure, justified by the low number of enrollments, has generated concern and disappointment among those affected. It is feared that this decision will leave many students without the possibility of completing their studies, as this service is more than just an educational resource; it is a vital social service for those who cannot access education in any other way.
This year, 25 students enrolled in the third block of the night bachelor’s degree at IES Miguel de Cervantes, of which 15 graduated, a number that the protesters consider sufficient to maintain the in-person modality. However, some students will have to travel to Ciudad Real to continue their studies, while others will be forced to switch to online mode or even drop out of their studies.
Students from Herencia have also lamented this decision, highlighting that it will affect not only the students of Alcázar de San Juan, but also many others throughout the region who depend on this night education to complete their studies. Today’s protest aims to make visible the importance of maintaining this night bachelor’s degree and preserving a crucial educational resource for the community.
Manifesto
EDUCATION AND CULTURE ARE NOT COMMODITIES
Is this statement obvious? Well, no, once again the Department of Education of Castilla-La Mancha succumbs to the dictates of the market: what is not profitable is useless and is eliminated.
We already experienced this a few years ago when a new wave of crisis, which once again demonstrated the flaws of an economic system based on unlimited exploitation, tried to offset losses by attacking one of the fundamental principles of its political base, the Constitution, and the guarantee of individual rights that are ultimately collective. The right to the education of the people of a state, guaranteed in its Magna Carta, should never be subject to economic interests, a right cannot be speculated on, and this is systematically done by political powers, no matter where they come from.
Where are the green shirts? The discouragement of teachers is natural, as it has taken more than 10 years to partially reverse the drastic cuts that were made in regional public education. We are facing the threat of closing teachings, the last week of June was devastating… July was devastating. The announcement of closing lines, increasing ratios, etc., with the argument of profitability puts at stake again the right we are talking about, that of public, free, and quality education.
From CGT, we once again advocate for a public education of the people, a people who refuse to close off their educational, academic, and cultural opportunities, which play against their job prospects… we cannot allow, in addition to the economic poverty of the people, a cultural poverty to perpetuate submission.
In the case that brings us here today, we consider the maintenance of the night bachelor’s degree fundamental, an opportunity to grow academically, culturally, and personally for individuals who, due to multiple circumstances, missed a train that they now want to take out of pure and simple dignity.
You will always find us here, by the side of dignity, by the side of defending what is public, of the people… and if necessary, we will demand to manage it directly. If they do not know how to defend our rights, we will do it.
Spanish post in Protesta en Alcázar de San Juan por el cierre del Bachillerato Nocturno que también afecta a Herencia
