Spanish Church fears for its freedom in education
Government insists that law on schools is in need of reform PA
A demonstration against the new education law in Madrid, on 22 November
CHURCH and civil-society organisations in Spain are opposing a new education law, one of several radical initiatives by the Socialist-led government, which will downgrade religious teaching and curb the independence of Christian schools.
The 79-page draft law known as the Celaa Law, after the Education and Professional Training Minister, Isabel Celaa was tabled in June by the ruling Socialist Party and its coalition partner, Unidas Podemos. It was enacted on 19 November by 178 votes to 147 after a heated debate in the Congreso, the lower house of the Cortes, the Spanish parliament, and will be enforced next March if approved by the upper house, the Senado.