A large majority of the educational community in the Vega Baja joined an indefinite strike which began on Monday. Teachers across the region say there has been no meaningful progress on key demands, including smaller class sizes, better working conditions and sufficient resources for pupils.

In Orihuela, support was particularly strong along the coast, where some schools are operating with 20% fewer staff than last year. At CEIP Los Dolses, more than 70 teachers walked out, leaving only around 100 pupils in attendance. Staff say infant class sizes have risen from 20 to 25, and primary classes to 27, with limited support for newly arrived foreign pupils and children with special educational needs.

Other schools have reported similar figures. At CEIP Miguel Hernández, 36 of the 31 teaching staff were reported to have joined the strike, while around 60 of 100 teachers took part at IES Gabriel Miró. More than half the staff at Tháder secondary school also walked out.

The local political group Cambiemos has backed the strike and criticised comments made by the regional Education Minister, who said no pupil should be “held hostage” by a labour dispute. The party has accused the regional government of neglecting public education and called for greater investment and improved conditions in schools.