Across recent electoral cycles, free education from birth to age three has emerged as a central pledge for most political camps in the run-up to elections. Only the far right has not foregrounded this policy in its program. This shift signals a broad consensus on investing early in schooling as a pathway to long-term social and economic outcomes, even as parties differ on execution and funding sources.
Within the left bloc, comprising Compromís, PSPV, and Unides Podem, education remains a focal point of social policy that has evolved since 2015. The PSPV is pushing for stronger alignment with Valencian standards by expanding compulsory schooling, while Podem focuses on reducing tuition costs and widening eligibility for university scholarships. The purple party advocates a pronounced commitment to public education, signaling a prioritization of public institutions and increased budgetary allocation. Collectively, progressive parties advocate lower tuition, more teaching staff, and higher classroom quality, arguing that such measures create equitable access and improve learning outcomes for all students.
On the right, represented by the PP, Vox, and Ciudadanos, social policy also features prominently. The PP champions a digital backpack program and free electronic devices for children, with a nuanced aim to support families who need them most while avoiding blanket mandates. Notably, the right also proposes a mental health plan targeting the well-being of students across participating schools, addressing a concern voiced by educators. A major point of contention centers on the positioning of the harmonious and Valencian education models. The PP argues for repealing parts of the current decree that governs harmonized education in order to broaden the scope of education that is publicly accessible, a move seen as a potential expansion of a system beyond standard public schooling.
Compromís and PSPV push for lower costs, while the PP leans toward expanding compliant education
language considerations
Multilingual education stands as another hot topic. The right emphasizes the need to revisit Valencia’s multilingual requirements, with Vox proposing steps to roll back certain administrative language mandates. Meanwhile, the PP characterizes the 2018 Multilingualism Act as a misfire and suggests reforms to enhance the role of the Valencian language in schools, aligning with Botànic’s public school plans. A shared objective across parties includes a renewed emphasis on English proficiency, particularly in the early years, a goal that Compromís supports as part of a broader education modernization strategy.
On language policy, both the PP and Ciudadanos advocate for parental freedom in choosing the educational path and the language of instruction, underscoring a belief in school choice as a core democratic principle. Another recurring agreement is the expansion of Official Language Schools and the growing role of telematics-based teaching across registration periods, reflecting a trend toward more flexible and accessible language education.