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Valencian Schools
1.- THE SPANISH EDUCATION SYSTEM
-General Organisation.
In Spain the general education system is organised in the following way:
-Infants Education from 3 to five years of age. It is the first line in education in the school system and is not obligatory. It has three levels: infants of 3 years, infants of 4 years, infants of 5 years of age.
-Primary education from 6 to 12 years of age. This is made up of six courses divided into three cycles: First cycle Courses 1 and 2, Second cycle Courses 3 and 4, Third cycle Courses 5 and 6. This is obligatory for all children
-Secondary Compulsory Education from 12 to 16 years of age. This is made up of four courses divided into two cycles: First cycle Courses 1 and 2, Second cycle Courses 3 and 4.
This again is obligatory for all young people.
In future all this educational level will be in schools specifically designated for these courses.
At the moment courses one and two are held in local primary schools.
-Voluntary Education
Bachiller (Senior school and! Pre University) After 16 years of age. They are not
compulsory studies. These are made up of two courses 1st and 2nd . When students finish them they can go to University or to a Higher Level of Formacion Professional (Vocational Training).
Specific Formacion Professional of Medium Level. They are not compulsory studies (l6 to 18 years of age). These studies give to the students the possibility of get a professional competence.
2.- THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF VALENCIA
Spain is organised politically into self-governing bodies or states with the power to legislate and produce laws for their own territory as long as they are in agreement with the Spanish constitution. The state of Valencia has the control above all the educative questions.
Nevertheless several territories have their own language quite different to castellan.
Ontinyent is in the State of Valencia and has it's own language of Valenciano. Because of this both castellan and Valenciano are official languages. It is therefore obligatory to learn both in school.
3.- BILINGUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The Valenciano education system requires that to finish obligatory formal education children must know how to use both Valenciano and Castellan correctly. Consequently all the centres teach one or more Bilingual education program. However this is subdivided into two: The Learning in Valenciano (PEV) and The Program of Immersion in languages (PIL).
In both the PEV and the PIL all pupils come to have a good command of both Valenciano and Castellan, which facilitates the learning of other languages.
The PEV. Learning in Valenciano
This system uses Valenciano as the principal language of teaching.
The student will only be taught in Valenciano thus imparting full competency in this language whilst providing a good command of castellan. Indeed from the moment a student begins their studies giving more importance to Valenciano raises the opportunity of acquiring a full command of the language that society does not provide but what is important at this moment is to consolidate their languages. Castellan is incorporated from the first moment with a continuous viewpoint stressing its importance. Afterwards a third, a foreign language, may be learnt.
The PIL. Program of Linguistic Immersion
Designed for children who are not Valenciano speaking, the families of which opt voluntarily, gaining linguistic integration from the outset of their studies. The student improves their own language and acquires another, Valenciano.
Indeed for the non-Valenciano speaking pupil starting their education in Valenciano at the beginning of their studies represents the single opportunity to fully command this official language with a small social presence. The PIL course is taught in their own language (Castellan). The classes use a methodology, which increases understanding and its use in real life. That is using it while learning it.
The use and understanding of the language is adapted to the student's abilities to understand.
Castellan as the backdrop and the language taught is introduced from the first or second cycle of primary schooling and receives a more systematic approach.
The PIP. Program of Progressive Incorporation
Those centres which do not apply either the PEV or the PIL have adopted the program of progressive incorporation in which the language base is taught in castellan to include, at least, knowledge of the natural, social and cultural world taught in Valenciano from the third course in primary education.
The PIP is continued up to the ESO and guarantees at least the use of Valenciano as a language in two non-language areas in each one of the groups.
Multilingual Courses
Since 1998 several centres are authorised by the Conselleria de Cultura i Educaci6 to teach in several languages. These courses, which are based on the conviction that the raising of linguistic standards may be best achieved using not only the two official languages of Valencia but the introduction of one other and using all three to teach the curriculum. That means to say classes are not given only in Valenciano, or castellan, or English but in all three.
If you wish to know more please ask which programs apply at each educational centre.
4.- ORGANISATION OF THE CENTRES
-Organisational structure and management.
_ Organizational management.- Each educational centre has a director, a head of studies and a secretary. These people make up the management team. They have as their mission the management of the centre besides attending to the parents and their problems. All schools have opening hours to see whatever you want to know.
-Students Council.
This is the senior decision making body of the centre. It is made up by a representative from the town hall, representatives from the teachers, of the parents, of the students and the cleaning staff.
Their members are elected every four years. any parent may offer himself or herself for election.
-Other participating bodies.
-Each centre also has a body representing the Mothers and Fathers of Students. (AMP A) this is a voluntary body representing all parents. It has it's own budget and regulations, organises extra curricular activities during the course and assists in the organisation of the schools programs (Such as the range or scope of the courses in the centre.)
-The PEC. The schools educational project.
Each centre has a schools educational project.
Contributions come from teachers, mothers and fathers and pupils. It is this program which defines the characteristics of each centre and its live together rules, which educational model is wanted besides making the rules, which guide each centre.
This document must work within the confines of the laws governing education in both the state and Spain. Which allow for individual characterisation. It may be revised and altered whenever thought to be necessary and is available to whichever member of the academic community wishes.
5.- EDUCATIONAL ORGANISATION.
There are two official languages in the state of Valencia, Valenciano and castellan. With the aim that all the students know and use them, there ~e different educational bilingual programs, which are available to all families. All the centres apply one or more of these bilingual educational programs.
These programs are the PEV (See prior definition), the PIL (See prior definition) and the PIP (See prior definition) in reality teaching is done in the two official languages to ensure understanding of both irregardless of the teaching program sought.
All the information that is taught at all levels is contained in a document entitled the Curricular Project of the Centre. Each teacher in every period follows these guidelines throughout the time in the classroom. Any family may consult the two documents, the curricular project of the centre and the class program by prior arrangement.
- Teachers.
A teacher is the person charged with ensuring that the educative process develops adequately. At the commencement of each course they will call a meeting of all the parents of the pupils to explain the course schedule and the operation of the class during the educational term.
They have a time for parent consultations, which they will call periodically. In the Spanish educational system the tutors and teachers will arrange meetings with the student families to ensure there are no problems.
There are other teachers who are not tutors but also give classes. These are specialists teaching subjects such as Foreign Languages, Physical education and Music. Also there are teachers for educational therapy, and a schools psychology service.
In secondary education their services are much larger these specialists are also available for consultation.
Internal Teachers organise their work through two formats: -through meetings between other teachers in the same cycle.
-through committees, departments and working groups.
-through staff meetings, meetings between all the teachers of school.
The Student Calendar.
- Three terms each year. September to December. January to Easter. (March or April). Easter to June. Each teaching week is for five days from Monday to Friday.
Hours are: Infants and primary educational centres 09.00-12.00 15.00-17.00. In June and September mornings only from: 09.00-13.00. Hours can vary from school to school.
- Secondary centre classes run from: 08.00-15.00hrs depending on the number of periods in any course.
Subjects: - Primary education.
Spanish, Valenciano, Foreign language, Mathematics, Social and Natural Environment Knowledge, Physical Education, Art, Music, Religion (Roman Catholicism) which is not obligatory. Those interested must ask for details.
Secondary education.
Spanish language, Valenciano, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Modelling, Technology, Physical education and any other chosen subjects.
Religion (Roman Catholicism) is available upon request but is not obligatory.
Course text books.
Ask at the school chosen for a list of books and other items required during the year.
(As a guide line Year 1 books for 6 year olds in 2006-2007 year cost 180 euros in Ontinyent)
Evaluation.
Periodically students are assessed and progress evaluated. Each term the form teacher will prepare a bulletin with the results of those assessments with additional comments.
6.- OTHER SERVICES
-All centres offer transport to and from schools and a dining room / Canteen.
-Each year the Conselleria de Cultura i Educacio offer small grants (becca) towards the purchase of text books; towards lunch expenses and transport costs. For more information please ask at your class teacher.
This Information was obtained from the Town Hall in Ontinyent