Moving to a new country can be an exciting yet challenging experience, especially when it comes to finding the right school for your children. As an Indian expat living in Barcelona, it’s essential to understand the educational landscape and explore the available options for your child’s education. In Catalonia, where Barcelona is located, the education system consists of public and private schools. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of these school types, highlighting their key features and helping you make an informed decision.
Public Schools: Quality Education at No Cost
Catalonia’s public schools offer high-quality education that is fully funded by the state. These schools follow the local curriculum approved by the Catalan authorities in accordance with the Spanish Education Act. Public schools are secular in nature, providing an inclusive environment for children of various backgrounds. The Catalan education system emphasizes equity and excellence, making it an attractive option for many international families, including Indian expats.
Private Schools: Exploring Diverse Options
Private schools in Barcelona are privately owned and managed, and they may or may not be secular. Unlike public schools, private schools do not receive government subsidies, which means the cost of schooling is primarily covered by families. However, private schools offer a range of educational approaches, including international and bilingual programs, catering to the needs of diverse student populations. It’s important to note that each private school has its own enrolment process and entry criteria, so it’s advisable to contact the schools directly for more information.
Concertades: A Special Category of Private Schools
Within the private school segment, there are “concertades” schools that receive subsidies to cover basic educational needs. To qualify for these subsidies, concertades schools must fulfill specific curricular and legislative criteria, including adhering to the same enrolment process as public schools. These schools offer a unique blend of private education with some financial support from the government. It’s worth exploring concertades schools as they might provide a balanced option for Indian expat families seeking a multicultural and multilingual educational environment.
Choosing the Right School for Your Child
When making a decision about your child’s schooling, consider factors such as curriculum, language of instruction, extracurricular activities, and the overall educational philosophy of the school. Public schools provide an excellent education rooted in the local culture and language, while private schools offer greater flexibility and diversity. For Indian expats, private schools with international or bilingual programs could be particularly appealing, as they provide an opportunity for children to maintain their native language while learning Spanish and other languages.
Conclusion:
Finding the right school for your child is a significant step in ensuring a smooth transition and a successful educational journey in Barcelona. As an Indian expat, you have the choice between public and private schools, each with its own advantages. Public schools offer a high-quality, tuition-free education, while private schools provide diverse educational approaches and multilingual programs. By understanding the available options and considering your child’s unique needs, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your family’s goals and values. Remember to contact schools directly for more information and to visit them in person to get a feel for their environment and educational offerings.
it is important for international families to understand that both Catalan and Spanish are the official languages in Catalonia and these
languages are used in the public education system, with Catalan being the most widely used language. After completing compulsory
schooling (from 6 to 16 years of age), students are fluent in both languages and have an adequate knowledge of at least one foreign
language
Non-subsidised private schools in the Barcelona Area also teach Catalan and Spanish and often use a different language as the main
language of instruction, such as English or French, among others. In this publication you will find lists of schools situated in Barcelona and the surrounding areas that offer an international education. Although it has been created with international families in mind, anyone with an interest inmultilingual schooling and international curriculum or academic qualifications should find this a valuable resource.
Source : Barcelona.cat
