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.