Parents' Blockade in Son Sardina: School Stands Still for Three Days After Ruling Against Teacher

Protest Instead of Classes: Parents Make Their Mark in Son Sardina

On the first day of school after the holidays, it was unusually quiet on Calle Major in Son Sardina. Instead of children's voices, you could only hear the clatter of school bags and, occasionally, a car. Many parents turned back. The Maria Antònia Salvà primary school remained largely empty for three days—a targeted protest against the return of a teacher who, in November 2024, was sentenced to one year in prison and a fine for harassing a minor. The judgment is not yet final; an appeal is underway.

How It Began: Worries, Solidarity, and Emergency Childcare

In the morning at about 7:50 a.m., families gathered at the school door. Some had spontaneously decided to take their children back home, others had been informed earlier. The parents' association reports that on the first day hardly any child was in class. It is said that even those who usually never demonstrate joined the protest—out of concern, one says, in a sober tone.

To avoid leaving working parents in the lurch, the organizers arranged a simple emergency childcare. Ten families reportedly used this offer. Nothing big, more pragmatic: a quiet room, games, an adult watching over. This kept the pressure on the school authorities without overburdening the families completely.

Administration Between Law and Practice

The Balearic Islands regional government stands on a tightrope. The Ministry of Education emphasizes that they understand the parents' fears, while being legally constrained at the same time. An immediate dismissal of the teacher has not been ordered by a judge yet. The administration is now examining practical solutions: accompaniment by aides in the classroom, altered duty rosters, or separated teaching groups – measures intended to secure school operations without pre-empting a pending legal process.

A spokesperson for the ministry argued that a premature dismissal could have legal consequences for the administration. Parents see it differently. Many demand clear decisions and more transparency—ideally in writing and with deadlines.

What Remains

The action has a signaling effect: in Son Sardina it was less about show and more about protection and trust. Whether the school authorities will react will become clear in the coming days. For the affected families, the worry remains visible—and a reminder of how little time sometimes lies between a court ruling and the first day of school.