Valencia government mandates ideological neutrality inspections in schools

The Valencian regional government (Consell) has implemented a reform requiring educational inspectors to supervise 'ideological neutrality' within schools. Effective as of August 11, the measure modifies Decree 80/2017 through an amendment to the regional budget accompaniment law.

Under the new regulations, inspectors are tasked with ensuring that teaching activities, curricular materials, and school events remain free from any form of 'indoctrination.' The reform also mandates respect for pluralism, family freedom of conscience, and linguistic rights. The Department of Education is required to establish channels for members of the educational community to report potential violations. Upon receiving a complaint, inspectors have approximately ten business days to conduct an initial assessment and decide whether to open formal proceedings.

The measure has drawn sharp criticism from political opposition and labor unions. Representatives from the Compromís party have characterized the move as an attempt to turn educational inspection into a 'political police' designed to monitor teachers and restrict academic freedom. Similarly, the STEPV union, the largest in the Valencian education sector, has denounced the reform as a 'witch hunt' that threatens basic laws regarding teaching freedom and linguistic rights.