LAST UPDATE about the teachers’ strike

[CA, ES] Traduccions al valencià i el castellà d’aquest text disponibles a l’enllaç: / Traducciones al valenciano y al castellano de este texto disponibles en el enlace: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JaBRbNhoRZ7rVeUc_L69S4PME9Mf8NSs

This is an update about the ongoing teachers’ strike.

On Tuesday 19th afternoon, the Valencian Education Department (Conselleria) issued what they called their “final proposal” and asked the unions to attend a meeting yesterday at 5 PM just to sign the agreement, not to negotiate.

Before that official meeting, we held assemblies and teachers in educational centres under the Generalitat Valenciana voted in a consultation, the results of which you may find in a PDF document at this link, both in Valencian and in Spanish.

With an overall turnout of 64 %, only 6 % voted in favour of the government’s proposal, 16 % opted for a “conditional” yes (but that condition wasn’t fulfilled either) and 78 % voted NO. Therefore, it was decided the strike will continue. Find related news articles at the links in Valencian (À Punt) and in Spanish (ValenciaPlaza)

Regarding how this situation affects my teaching and your assessment:

B2 Speaking Practice: NO sessions until the strike is called off

B2 Online: scheduled tests, which I’m administering from home, continue as planned (except for minor changes in timeslots, which I will notify to those affected)

C1: tests scheduled on 19th & 21st May were cancelled ─ I will voluntarily waive my right to go on strike on Tuesday 26^th May to administer your writing tests in classroom 5D at 4:45 PM and 6:45 PM, respectively, for each group. You’re receiving by email pending feedback and further information, which I still can’t share with you because I’m awaiting a response from the school’s academic management.

Certification Exams: It’s still unknown (although very unlikely at EOI Alacant/Alicante) if this strike will continue when Certification Exams start on May 29^th and how they could be affected. Remember that some B2 students are having their speaking exams on that Friday, whereas C1 students are following suit on Monday 1^st and Tuesday 2^nd June. In that respect, I will share with you more information as soon as possible.

Sorry for all the inconvenience. I dislike both causing any harm to your learning and delaying your assessment, but I’m trying to be coherent with my commitment with the public educational system in our land. Many of you are aware that I keep dedicating my “free” time to your assessment even if I’m officially on strike and not getting paid.

As some of you have been doing in recent days, please feel free to contact me by email. Additionally, you can reach out to me on Microsoft Teams by following the link David ONLINE / Teachers’ strike | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams (NOTE: This system works from your internet browser if you use a laptop or desktop computer, but you’ll need to install the corresponding app if you want to use it from your mobile phone or tablet.)