Javier Laspalas, department de Education, Universidad de Navarra
Know how to manage
More than 50,000 million euros must be saved, but the lion's share is being taken by the so-called social items or the interest on the debt. Hence, it is not viable to maintain intact the benefits of the so-called Welfare State, including those related to teaching.
It is not easy to gauge whether the Government has handled the scissors correctly, but I am convinced that the present circumstance should lead us to review a premise that is usually taken for granted: investing in teaching is always profitable.
The expense per student has increased considerably in Spain during the last decades, as a result of the increase in GDP and the fall in the birth rate. However, judging by the PISA reports, academic results have not improved. What if hardship affects people rather than resources? Could it be that there is a lack of interest and effort on the part of the students, the attitudes and priorities of the parents are not always adequate, the preparation and vocation of the teachers can be improved, and the management and management of the centers are non-existent or ineffective.