A recent ruling from the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) has once again ignited debate surrounding the role of the Catalan language in schools. The court has pushed back against the notion that Catalan is the sole language responsible for fostering classroom cohesion. This decision stems from a partial acceptance of a legal challenge brought forth by the Assembly for a Bilingual School of Catalonia (AEB),a spanish organization. The AEB took issue with a resolution published by the Generalitat’s Department of education and Professional Training, specifically a document outlining the organization and management of educational centers for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The AEB wasted no time in reacting to the court’s findings. They argued that the Education resolution had attempted to establish Catalan as the exclusive language for social, cultural, and community cohesion, thereby creating a school model that they believe infringes upon fundamental rights and disregards the linguistic diversity present in Catalonia. The TSJC, in its ruling, specifically targeted a section of the department’s text that referred to the use of the Catalan language as a “cohesion element” for students within Catalonia.
“Ultimately, the use of Catalan is linked to the cohesion of the students, excluding the use of Spanish and, once again, linking the official language of the State to a mere academic obligation, which does not contribute to the formation of a society that shares the same values.”
TSJC Ruling
The court further elaborated on this point, stating that this perspective on Catalan extends beyond its role as a medium of instruction. It suggests an aspiration to create a direct link between Catalan culture and the use of the Catalan language,while sidelining Spanish to the status of a language to be learned but not integrated into the formation of Catalan citizenship. For the AEB, the TSJC’s intervention is notably significant, as it has effectively corrected what they viewed as an imposition of Catalan as the singular language of cohesion.
PP Calls for Explanation
In response to this development, the Popular Party (PP) group within the Catalan Parliament has announced its intention to request the appearance of the Minister of Education, Esther Niubó. They aim to obtain a clear explanation from the government regarding its stance on this recent court sentence.
