The ongoing debate over music education in Valencian Community schools drew attention today as teachers protested inside the Cortes. The issue emerged after a question from a PP representative. Maria José Katala Consell chair Ximo Puig asked whether the plan would resolve concerns regarding music in the baccalaureate and ESO programs. Both the Generalitat president and the education department head affirmed there will be no regression in music teaching in Valencian institutes. Starting next academic year, all centers are expected to offer music as a compulsory subject in the third year of ESO.
Several music teachers attended today’s parliamentary session to voice opposition to implementing the current national law, LOMLOE, known locally as the Celaá law, within the Valencian education curriculum. Puig, who leads the PSPV, asserted that no regional government has done more for music than his party and reassured the opposition MP: there will be no backsliding on this issue under any circumstances.
Tamarit of Compromís also warned the former Education Minister that “sleeping in parliament is no excuse” because the musical strand remains part of ESO and the baccalaureate. He noted that the new royal decree of the curriculum includes music without reducing hours for other artistic subjects in the third year, making the idea of removing it untenable.
The plan emphasizes that every center should introduce music in the third year of ESO, allocating two hours per week to support interdisciplinary projects where music becomes a common thread and where multiple music projects can complement other subjects in the ESO end-phase.
Education leadership clarified that all institutes could offer music within any baccalaureate pathway. It was stated that there will be 32 possible artistic and natural baccalaureate options, 14 of which previously had limited availability.
Looking ahead to the next year, schools that wish to offer the Musical and Scenic Baccalaureate will be able to apply to expand the network, with assurances that the artistic baccalaureate remains an option for schools and students alike.
Following the plenary, PP representatives reiterated concerns about the ESO platform and warned that up to 250 teachers could be displaced under the new rules. They argued that compulsory courses do not automatically equate to a compulsory offering and urged reconsideration in the interest of broad consensus and respect for musicians who contribute to regional culture.
Industry voices within the teaching community emphasized that music is a core element of the Valencian cultural identity and a tool to address learning gaps. They urged policymakers to recognize the value of music education and its role in student success, highlighting past investments and the potential for music to engage students more deeply across disciplines.
Observers note that the parliamentary dynamics reflect a broader national conversation about curriculum choices and resource allocation. The debate underscores how educational policy can influence teacher staffing, classroom time, and the breadth of subjects offered in state-supported schools. The coming school year is shaped by these commitments, with an emphasis on ensuring music remains a visible and active part of the academic experience for all students.