The school day in Spain —understood as the organization of daily teaching time— is one of the most debated topics in the educational field. Currently, two main models coexist: split shift, which divides classes into morning and afternoon, and the continuous day, which concentrates school activity in the morning (normally from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.).
Unlike other European countries with more homogeneous school models, in Spain the debate on the school day is relevant due to its Impact on family conciliation, educational equity and the well-being of minorsThe absence of unified national regulations has led to significant territorial diversity in the organization of school hours.
Regulatory Framework and Territorial Diversity in the School Day
The professional intervention with minors It is a multidisciplinary field that promotes the well-being, rights and comprehensive development of children and adolescents at risk. Organic Law 2/2006 on Education (LOE), modified by the LOMLOE (Organic Law 3/2020), establishes the general bases of school times. However, they are the autonomous communities and educational centers who decide the specific application of the school day.
- In regions such as Andalusia, the Canary Islands, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura, the continuous day predominates in public education.
- In others such as Madrid, Catalonia or the Basque CountryBoth models coexist, with split shifts being more common in state-funded and private schools.
This overview shows that the time organization responds not only to pedagogical criteria, but also to factors social, territorial and political.
Advantages of Continuous Working Hours
Supporters of continuous working hours highlight several positive aspects:
- Higher academic performance, by concentrating the subjects in the hours of greatest attention of the students.
- Reduction of travel and more free time in the afternoon for extracurricular activities, leisure or family life.
- Better teaching coordination, as it allows for afternoon faculty meetings and reduces absenteeism in the afternoon.
According to the State School Board (2019), these factors contribute to greater pedagogical efficiency.
Criticisms and Disadvantages of Continuous Working Hours
Criticism of continuous working hours focuses on its social implications:
- Finishing in the early afternoon forces many families to hire extracurricular services or school cafeterias, which can generate economic inequalities.
- Families with fewer resources depend exclusively on the public offering, with a higher risk of social exclusion.
In comparison, the split shift makes it easier for students to stay in the school for longer hours, including the lunch, which functions as a measure of social compensation. However, it can also cause fatigue and decreased performance in the afternoon classes.
School Day and Child Welfare
From the perspective of the best interests of the child, included in article 3 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), both models have pros and cons:
- The continuous day offers more free time, which can promote both enriching activities and, in some cases, sedentary leisure and isolation, if there is no adult supervision.
- The split shift, although longer, integrates the school cafeteria naturally. For organizations like UNICEF Spain (2021), this service is key in the fight against child poverty.
Furthermore, the accumulated fatigue and the less attention in the afternoon raise doubts about their educational effectiveness.
An Open Debate between Education, Family and Equity
The debate on the school day in Spain It goes beyond choosing between a continuous or split shift. It's a discussion with multiple dimensions: pedagogical efficiency, family conciliation and social equity.
Various actors are actively involved:
Pediatricians and child health experts, who insist on the importance of healthy habits beyond the model: sleep, nutrition, rest and active leisure (Spanish Association of Pediatrics, 2020).
Teachers' unions
AMPAs (parents' associations)
Regional administrations
Conclusions: School Day at the Service of Children
The school day in Spain reflects a reality dual and territorially fragmented:
- The continuous day is perceived as more efficient at an academic level.
- The split shift offers greater social coverage and facilitates conciliation.
Neither model is perfect. Therefore, the focus should not be on which is better, but on how to complement any day with quality educational and social services (dining rooms, morning classes, extracurricular activities).
Ultimately, the goal should be for the organization of school time —whether continuous or split— ensure child welfare and equal opportunities, in line with the principles of the LOMLOE.
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