The Provincial Director of the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports (MEFPyD) in Melilla, Elena Fernández Treviño, has highlighted in an interview on Radio Nacional de España the historical improvement in the ratios of the educational system in Melilla and the unprecedented increase in teachers who reinforce the centers.
Fernández Treviño explained that “we have greatly improved the ratio figures”. Thus, he pointed out that in Early Childhood Education the classrooms currently stand at 20–22 students, and in Primary they do not exceed 25. “We are in a very good figure, the best historical ratio at these levels,” he said.
He also recalled that Melilla carried high ratios “more than a decade ago”, when it exceeded 30 students in some courses, a situation that is still reflected in certain ESO and Baccalaureate groups. However, he assured that “the trend is to lower the ratios”, something that with the current planning will be possible. “Our goal and that of the Government of Spain is to lower the ratios at all levels,” he said.
Teacher reinforcement and new methodologies
The Provincial Director has highlighted the implementation of methodologies that improve individualized attention, such as co-teaching in Language and Mathematics through the Territorial Cooperation Programs. “Two professions serving students come much better, not only to individualized attention, but also to attention in diversity.”
In addition, it has highlighted the increase in human resources in educational centers through different programs and agreements: Child Education Technicians, caregiver staff and reinforcing teachers. In this sense, Fernández Treviño has announced the intention to double the number of caregivers, “we want to double the number of caregivers of the Ministry because it is a staff that the centers demand us a lot.”
Currently there are about 25 caregivers of the MEFPyD and another 25 of the agreement with the Autonomous City, and the objective is that the Ministry adds another 25 to reach a total figure of about 75 caregivers.
It has also highlighted the almost 30 additional teachers incorporated into this course through the Territorial Cooperation Programs, as well as the reinforcement of the PROA+ program, which already has its quota contracted. “We are talking about a very high number of teachers who come to support schools with these PROA programs, and who also come to work on diversification and attention to diversity,” he said.
Regarding the next agreement for the care of students with greater difficulties, the Provincial Director has indicated that it is planned to start in January, with a new teaching quota for the educational compensation program.
Historic recruitment record
In the words of Fernández Treviño, “we are talking about some historical records of hiring”. “Right now we have a teaching quota that caters not only to the classrooms, but to everything that is contracted around by these programs,” he said.
The Provincial Director has insisted that this investment in teachers and resources is key to continue improving educational care and strengthening the quality of the system at all levels.