Parents’ groups call for “pajama parties” to keep schools open for Catalan vote

At the Bages School in the Catalan city of Manresa, the parents’ association has organized a “back to school” party with activities throughout the weekend, camping included, on school premises. The Pedra Blanca School in Girona, has also prepared cultural and social events for this weekend, where families are invited to a “pajama party” with children on Friday and Saturday nights. At the Encants School in Barcelona, a father was handing out fliers at the gates, calling for the occupation of the school via the “holding of family leisure days throughout the weekend.”

The only thing we have asked of associations is that they act in the defense of democratic rights Alex Castillo, spokesman for FAPAC

Spokesperson for the Federation of Parents’ Associations in Catalonia (FAPAC), Alex Castillo, said on Thursday that the act of keeping schools open this weekend was “significantly important,” although he did not specify how many schools were involved.

FAPAC represents 76% of Catalan parents’ associations. Castillo said the federation would “respect” all the parents associations’ decisions, whether that means opening schools or not. “The only thing we have asked of associations is that they act in defense of democratic rights,” he said.

The Catalan regional High Court has ordered the sealing of the centers designated as polling stations to block the illegal referendum from going ahead. Faced with the possibility of a police intervention to evict people from these centers, Castillo was blunt: “To say that children are being used as human shields is ridiculous. Children are not at risk because we trust in people’s judgment to assess when there are risks,” he said.

School principals concerned

Despite the parent associations’ initiatives to circumvent judicial instructions, school principal remain uncertain. As the central government has warned them, they are responsible for what happens in their education centers.

“Be free from that responsibility. It is me and my ministers who are responsible for making sure we reach the finish line,” said Catalan regional premier Carles Puigdemont yesterday.

Puigdemont’s words, however, have not convinced some unions and the association of school directors (Axia). “We are defenseless. Everything needs to follow protocol. If a parents’ association wants to hold activities in the school, the directors have to authorize it and sign a form,” explained Axia president Isabel Sánchez.

School principals want the regional government to assume “de facto responsibility” for using the schools as polling stations

Axia is demanding that the regional government assume “de facto responsibility” and has urged regional education chief Clara Ponsatí to temporarily remove all principals from their roles and take over the leadership of the schools.

The regional government sent a letter to the directors last Wednesday exempting them of any responsibility, but that is not enough for the unions and Axia. “That letter is only a statement of intent. It does not help us,” says Manuel Pulido, with the CCOO general workers union. A spokesperson for the regional government said they had already done all they could to reassure school principals.

English version by Debora Almeida.