The Madrid region has approved a decree establishing the split school day as the general rule in public schools for early childhood, primary, and special education, aiming to boost academic performance and aid family work-life balance. Parents' associations have welcomed the change, but teachers and unions express outrage, viewing it as a setback for labor conditions and educational quality.
Madrid's regional government approved the school hours decree on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. Consejero Miguel Ángel Martín stated that the policy intends to enhance student performance, support family reconciliation, and increase parental choice. The schedule now features morning and afternoon sessions separated by a two-hour break, with continuous days allowed in September and June.
Families have praised the approval. Carmen Morillas, president of the Francisco Giner de los Ríos Parents' Associations Federation, emphasized its benefit to children's best interests and addressed limited options in some areas: “There are zones in the Madrid region where there is no offer of schools with split schedules.” She noted that after 25 years of advocacy, education should adapt to students' needs.
Unions, however, oppose it strongly. Aida San Millán, general secretary of the CCOO Teaching Federation, cited studies favoring intensive days for better biological fit and less fatigue, accusing the change of treating schools as extended childcare: “Children are left, once again, parked for the longest possible hours so families can handle marathon workdays.” She called it an “outrage” for disregarding teachers' input.
CSIF, under Miguel Ángel González, is considering a legal challenge: “We will fight this as far as we can.” They criticize the reduced threshold for schedule changes, from absolute majority to one-third of the School Council, potentially swayed by low turnout: “It can't be that four or five parents have more power than 150.” ANPE labels it a “normative nonsense,” and UGT's Javier Becerra warns of eroded worker rights without added funding or staff, indicating neglect of public education.
New schools will implement the split day from the outset, while existing ones retain continuous schedules until altered. Change requests can now start before March 15, involving consultations and a majority vote.
