The Minister of Education of the Government of Navarra, Carlos Gimeno, showed his Basque Country in the previous legislature on numerous occasions. It seemed that being a member of a coalition government with Geroa Bai and Podemos would caress his glotophobic instinct, but it was soon learned that this would not happen in the section dedicated to the education of the programmatic agreement. There is no mention of the Basque Country and nothing else is mentioned: “Promote educational institutions that integrate linguistic models”.

Thus, the first school to be built during the term of office of Gimeno, that of Lezkairu, will have a curriculum in German (PALE). This program impedes studies in Euskera, as English receives the necessary hours to carry out model A. On the other hand, the PALE programme increases the precariousness of the teaching staff, since at the Victor Pradera School all the places with a German linguistic profile are vacant in the organic staff.

As the course progresses, the grudge towards the Basque country has only increased: they have not allowed the Model D line to be opened in Mendigorría. The rhetoric of support and promotion of the schools of the small towns remains nothing when it comes to the Basque country, even more so when families want a school without the PAI. In addition, in the center they have created a very interesting learning community, a plural project that integrates the village and the school. It is undesirable that the school map should be an excuse to justify this scourge, as UPN used linguistic zoning to violate the rights of families.

In the 2019-20 academic year, the Arts Teaching, Language Teaching, Sports Teaching and Adult People Teaching began to be taught in Basque, with trained teachers working in these specialties, so that the offer is increasing. Nothing has been put in place and there seems to be no intention of complying with what was signed in the education pact on this point with the trade unions. And Euskarabidea was banned from campaigning for education in Euskera.

Despite the slight increase in Basque education in the Teacher Support Centers in the previous legislature, this course barely accounts for 9.6%. Professors working in Euskera have to work hard to adapt the knowledge acquired or to translate the materials, so that this training is integrated into their activity.

Although many professors in Euskaldunes are working in the Department of Education, it is very difficult to speak in Euskera or request information in Euskera, often impossible, and that has only made worse if compared to the previous legislature.

In these circumstances, in which Basque Country policies remain at war and 60% of students cannot learn the language of Navarre, there is no possibility of signing any political or social educational pact. Like phobias, xenophobia or LGBTBIphobia, they are incompatible with progressive inclusive policies.

Raúl López Ekai.
Araceli Montes Calvo.