Facts and Figures
| The Spanish Constitution of 1978 gives considerable autonomy to the 17 Autonomous Communities (Comunidades Autónomas) and two autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, which together constitute the national territory.
This autonomy also prevails in the field of education. Two Autonomous Communities – Andalusia and Catalonia – have been chosen for analysis of the development of virtual learning platforms. Together, they account for about 45% of all Spanish pupils enrolled in compulsory education. The measures taken at national level and having an impact on the development of virtual learning platforms implemented at regional level are of course also presented. Organisation of the education system Education in Spain is compulsory for young people aged six to sixteen. There are two levels: primary (Educación Primaria) for pupils aged six to twelve, consisting of three cycles of two years; and lower secondary education (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria), lasting four years, for pupils aged twelve to sixteen. Post-compulsory secondary education consists of two branches, one oriented towards university entrance, called Bachillerato and the other vocationally oriented, called Formación Profesional de grado medio. Some figures (Source: Ministry of Education; reference year: 2008-09) :
Most teachers in state compulsory education are employed and paid by the Autonomous Community in which they work. The participation of teachers in in-service training is not mandatory. It is however clearly taken into account in career progression and remuneration. The Spanish education system has an Inspectorate, organised both at the central level (monitoring compliance with national legislation) and in the Autonomous Community (inspection of schools). Governance of the education system The Spanish Constitution grants considerable autonomy to the Autonomous Communities, so that they have the power to legislate on and regulate specific aspects of the school system, so long as they respect the basic features of the system (length of compulsory education, division between primary and secondary, etc.). The Autonomous Communities therefore have executive and administrative powers to manage the school system on their own territory.
The integration of ICT in schools in Spain is determined at the level of the Autonomous Communities and at local level. 11 Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Catalonia, Valencia, Extremadura, Galicia, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra, Basque Country, La Rioja |
