The main linguistic institution in Valencia and university philologists have criticized the planned changes to the Valencian language curriculum for secondary schools. The draft prepared by the regional education department excludes Catalan and Balearic writers from the mandatory reading list, limiting it to authors born in the Valencian territory. The Valencian Academy of the Language and universities warn that such a decision is arbitrary and worsens the quality of education, isolating the language from its broader cultural context. The new curriculum has already entered public consultation, meeting with protests from teachers' unions.

Sharp Academic Criticism

The Valencian Academy of the Language and philologists from three universities issued a detailed technical report criticizing the draft for imposing geographical and administrative criteria instead of substantive ones. Scholars argue that eliminating Catalan and Balearic writers weakens the teaching of literature in the Valencian language, depriving it of important contexts and works.

Changes to the Reading List

The draft of the new curriculum for secondary schools removes direct references to "Catalan literature" and focuses solely on Valencian literature and "main Valencian authors." According to critics, excluding authors such as Ramon Llull or Mercè Rodoreda leads to an artificial and harmful fragmentation of the shared linguistic heritage.

Response of the Regional Government

The education department, led by the People's Party, defends the changes as an adaptation of the curriculum to the provisions of the constitution and the Statute of Autonomy of Valencia. Authorities argue that the draft still has an "integrating approach" and does not create a closed list of authors, leaving schools freedom of choice. However, these assurances have not calmed the critics.

Protests by Trade Unions

The main teachers' unions in the region, STEPV and Workers' Commissions, confirmed they will continue mobilization against the changes. The unions support the proposal of the philology departments to maintain the possibility of studying authors from the entire linguistic area, which has been the practice until now.

The regional government of Valencia, led by the People's Party, has faced sharp criticism from academic and linguistic circles after presenting a draft of changes to the Valencian language curriculum for secondary schools. The main point of contention is the planned exclusion of Catalan and Balearic writers from the mandatory reading list. Criticism comes from various sides: from the main normative language institution, the Valencian Academy of the Language (AVL), to the philology departments of three universities: in Valencia, Alicante, and Castellón. The Valencian Academy of the Language, in an official statement, expressed deep concern that the new curriculum could lead to the perception of the Valencian language and literature in an "isolated and contextless" manner. The institution warns that such an approach represents a serious step backward in the global understanding of a language spoken by millions. University philologists, in a detailed technical report, went even further, calling the proposed changes "reductionism" and based on purely geographical and administrative criteria, rather than scientific ones. They emphasize that eliminating key authors from the linguistic area, such as the medieval philosopher Ramon Llull or the contemporary writer Mercè Rodoreda, impoverishes students' education. The dispute over the identity of the Valencian language and its relationship with Catalan has lasted for decades and is one of the key topics in Valencian regional politics. The legal status and nomenclature of this language are regulated by the 2006 Statute of Autonomy, which recognizes it as the official language of the community. The Valencian Academy of the Language, established precisely under this statute, is its official normative body. Its position on teaching curricula carries significant substantive and political weight.On the other hand, the regional education department (Conselleria d'Educació) defends the reform. In response to the accusations, it claims that updating the curriculum aims to adapt it to what "the Constitution and the Statute of Autonomy of the Valencian Community have established." Officials point out that the draft does not create a closed list of authors, leaving schools some flexibility. This argument does not convince the opponents of the changes. Teachers' unions, STEPV and Workers' Commissions, have announced they will continue protests. They support an alternative proposal prepared by the philology departments, which advocates "transcending this geographical limitation" and allowing the study of authors from the entire linguistic area, as has been the practice until now. The dispute has not only an academic but also a political dimension, reflecting a broader debate about the cultural identity of the region.

Mentioned People

  • Ramon Llull — Medieval philosopher and writer, considered one of the fathers of Catalan literature, whose works are excluded from the new curriculum.
  • Mercè Rodoreda — Prominent contemporary Catalan writer, whose works would be removed from mandatory reading in Valencian schools.