The Confederation of Parent and Guardian Associations of the Balearic Islands has denounced that their involvement in educational policies is insufficient and calls for changes in the Dialogue Table.
The COAPA Balears has expressed its dissatisfaction with the current model of family participation in education in the islands. During the last meeting of the Permanent Dialogue Table with Families, held on July 17, the confederation conveyed a critical assessment to the Department of Education: family participation remains a mere administrative procedure, without real capacity to influence decisions.
The organisation, which represents thousands of families from Majorca and the rest of the Balearic Islands, believes that parental involvement in educational matters has been clearly insufficient. Among the topics they feel are lacking in the discussions of the Table are school meal assistance, food aid for secondary school students, funding for family associations (AFA) and federations, as well as programmes for the reuse of books and educational materials.
A delay that harms families
The confederation also denounces that the delay in publishing several aid calls has hindered their dissemination and harmed families who could benefit from them. The lack of information and tight deadlines have generated uncertainty among parents, who do not know what resources they can apply for in the upcoming academic year.
At the meeting, the Department of Education committed to allowing federations to propose issues for the agenda and to study improvements in the functioning of the Table. COAPA Balears views this commitment positively but insists that it must now translate into effective participation, with the ability to influence decisions before they are finalised.
Diversity support and school dropout
Another key issue was early school dropout from the age of 16. The confederation calls for the creation of a protocol that guarantees monitoring, guidance, and educational continuity for students, especially in cases of greater vulnerability. In this regard, the General Directorate of Vocational Training committed to providing information on the various educational pathways so that federations can pass it on to families.
COAPA Balears also considers it a priority to open a specific space to discuss policies on diversity support, educational inclusion, and equity. In their view, the perspective of the Administration and that of families remains very different, making it essential to maintain continuous dialogue to move towards a more inclusive educational model.
Family participation cannot be a mere formality. We want the Dialogue Table to be a true decision-making space, not just a consultative body where we are heard but not taken into account.
The confederation has announced that it will monitor the main issues discussed and will present proposals aimed at improving educational policies from the representation of families. The next academic year will be the litmus test for the Department to demonstrate whether it truly supports real participation or if dialogue remains a mere formality.
For families in Majorca, this demand is not new. In previous years, COAPA Balears has denounced the lack of transparency and the limited influence of parents in decisions that directly affect their children. Now, with the commitment on the table, they hope that the changes will be tangible and not just empty promises.
