Valencia's University Entrance Exams Under Threat as 250 Examiners Threaten to Strike

The university entrance examinations (PAU) in Valencia are at risk of disruption. More than 250 teachers appointed as examiners have formed an assembly and threatened not to attend the panel formation meeting on 2 June — in solidarity with the ongoing indefinite teachers' strike. The Valencian authorities, however, insist the exams will go ahead as normal and that there are sufficient reserve examiners.

Next week — on 2, 3, and 4 June — the first wave of exams will take place in the Valencian Community, with the second wave scheduled for 30 June and 1–2 July. This year's PAU is taking place against the backdrop of a crisis in the state education system — the indefinite teachers' strike in Valencia has been running since 11 May.

The examiners accuse Valencia's Ministry of Education of failing to meet the needs of the state education system and criticise the department for its lack of flexibility in discussions with teachers' unions.

The measures the assembly is considering include: failing to attend the examination panel meeting on 2 June; submitting declarations of refusal to mark papers on the day the panel is constituted; and taking "more decisive action" regarding the awarding of grades.

"We are compelled to take these steps, which are not political but represent fair demands in defence of quality state education," the assembly members have stated.

In response, the Valencian authorities assured that the exams will proceed normally. According to the chair of the examination management committee, Esther Gómez, the total pool of examiners numbers 1,500. Gómez stressed that Valencian school-leavers "will be able to sit the PAU under the same conditions" as students elsewhere in Spain.

"Disrupting the PAU would cause irreparable harm to students. The minimum conditions (for holding the exams — La Cotorra) must be guaranteed," Gómez said.

As a precautionary measure, Valencia's Ministry of Education has required all panels to complete their formation by 12:00 PM on Friday, 29 May, so that any necessary replacements can be arranged in time.