Spain

Page last updated 22 July, 2006

In Spain, the number of people who choose to educate at home is constantly growing. Although their reasons for educating at home vary (pedagogical, ideological, religious, etc.) all who choose this option do so under the protection of the freedoms as stated in the Spanish Constitution (the highest law of the land) and especially under article 27, section 1 that states:

1 Freedom of instruction is recognized.
3 The public authorities guarantee the right which will assist parents to have their children receive the religious and moral formation which is in keeping with their own convictions.

In spite of this legal recognition of freedom of education, when it comes to home education, Spain is in a situation of legal vacuum since this form of education is not dealt with under any of the laws regulating education, and is therefore unregulated.

Many of the families that educate in Spain wish to find a solution to this situation so their children may have the same opportunities as those attending regular schools. For this reason, in addition to already existing support networks such as Crecer sin Escuela (Growing without School) or Aprender y Vivir (Learn and Live),

Recently three famileis were denied the right to continue to home educate their children leading to the creation of "Manifesto for the right to a difference in education." (below right).

ALE (Asociacion para la Libre Educacion/Association for Freedom in Education) was created in December 2002. This association hopes to bring together the interests of all families who educate at home, in a responsible manner, and who choose to object to traditional forms of schooling. At the same time, ALE wishes to provide these families, not only with social and emotional support but also with legal support.


Web address:

ALE

geographical address:

C/Raval 43 08784 Piera

email :

Ale

Education Libre

ALE, Asociación para la Libre Educación (Association for Freedom in Education) is a Spanish association that links families and individuals who believe that Homeschooling is a responsible and adequate option for their children's education.

Their objectives include the formation of a family support network, and the explicit acknowledgement of this option by the administrative authorities, as happens in countries of Europe and the world.

Manifesto for the right to a difference in education Short history It is no surprise that the founding meeting of the Platform for the right to a difference in education took place in the Province of Malaga, on July 23rd and 24th, 2005.
Indeed, it was in this province that for the first time in Spain a civil court denied three families the right to educate at home, and ordered them to send their children to school, despite a very favorable report from the social services. If the parents refused, , the children would be sent to a reform school. Two of these families were forced to send their children of 10, 12 and 15 years to school this September, despite an appeal to the Spanish Constitutional Court.
Objectives
It was this sentence which prompted 23 families, directly implicated in home education, to create together this Platform, in order to mobilise as many people as possible to take a stand against compulsory school attendance legislation, which is contrary to the Spanish constitution and to a fundamental human right: that of educating according to one's own educational philosophy.
The Platform's ambition is to unite not only individuals and organisations in Spain, but also to encourage support from individuals and organisations in all European countries, including those where this fundamental freedom concerning home education is not yet recognised.
The acquisition of this fundamental right in a true democracy would allow families wishing to educate at home to exercise this right freely, without fear that is caused by being in an illegal situation. It would also permit these families to meet regularly, if they wish to do so, without fear of retaliation, in order to give maximum attention to the psychological and physical well-being of their children. This would enable them to create a rich environment and to provide their children with a maximum of intellectual, artistic and manual knowledge which will help them to be well balanced individuals and creative citizens.
This right will be only fully attained if at the same time the child is given the right to take examinations freely, when ready, regardless of age, discipline or level chosen.
We support the objectives of this manifesto and adhere to the Platform for the right to a difference in education.

Link to the Manifesto website