Valencian teachers are set to become the first major group of public employees in the region to benefit from a 35-hour workweek. The new decree also guarantees digital disconnection and tailored measures for older staff and those with disabilities.
Thousands of teachers across the Comunitat Valenciana are on the verge of a significant change: the regional government has unveiled a draft decree that will cut the official workweek for educators from 37.5 to 35 hours. If approved, this move will make teachers the first large group of public employees in the region to see the shorter workweek implemented, ahead of other sectors still negotiating similar reforms.
The proposal, presented by the Conselleria de Educación at the Mesa Sectorial, not only reduces total weekly hours but also lowers the mandatory time teachers must spend physically at their schools—from 30 to 28 hours. The remaining hours can be allocated more flexibly, giving educators greater control over their schedules and responsibilities.
Clearer Structure, More Flexibility
The new decree aims to bring clarity to the organization of teachers’ work. It distinguishes between teaching hours, complementary duties, and time for independent tasks, providing a more precise legal framework for educators. According to Pablo Ortega, Director General of Personal Docente, the draft has already undergone public consultation, receiving over 400 submissions. The final text now awaits approval by the Consell.
Importantly, the decree replaces regulations dating back to 1992, reflecting both changes in the education sector and broader shifts in public sector employment. While the Generalitat’s general timeline for a 35-hour week for all civil servants is set for January 1, 2027, teachers could see the change much sooner under this specific regulation.
Digital Disconnection and Administrative Updates
One of the most notable features of the decree is the explicit right to digital disconnection. Teachers will no longer be required to respond to work-related messages outside their official hours—a demand that has grown louder in recent years as digital communication blurred the boundaries between work and personal life. The decree also clarifies which tasks must be performed on school premises and which can be completed elsewhere, further supporting work-life balance.
Administrative processes are set for an upgrade as well. Attendance tracking and absence requests will be managed through secure corporate apps, with guarantees for confidentiality and data protection. These changes are designed to streamline bureaucracy and reduce unnecessary time spent on paperwork.
Support for Older Teachers and Those with Disabilities
The draft includes targeted measures for teachers over 55, staff with disabilities of 50% or more, and those facing serious illnesses. These groups will benefit from specific adjustments to their schedules and duties, recognizing the diverse needs within the teaching workforce.
Crucially, the Generalitat plans to implement these changes through internal reorganization and efficiency improvements, rather than hiring additional staff to cover the reduced hours. This approach is shaped by the region’s budget realities: personnel costs already exceed €9.3 billion, and the public workforce is projected to reach 160,198 by 2025.
Setting a Precedent in Public Employment
The move to a 35-hour week for teachers is expected to set a benchmark for other public sector employees in Valencia. As the first concrete regulation of its kind, it could influence future negotiations and reforms across the region’s administration.
This shift in working conditions comes as debates about the effectiveness and practicality of education reforms continue nationwide. For example, recent calls for more practical skills and a rethink of bilingual education, as highlighted in a widely discussed interview with Spain’s top teacher, show that the conversation about how best to support educators and students is far from over.
As the decree moves toward final approval, teachers in the Comunitat Valenciana are watching closely—aware that the outcome could reshape not only their own work-life balance, but also set the tone for public sector employment across Spain.