Translation: NSS SPAIN

In recent years, Spain has intensified its efforts to digitalize education at all levels, from primary education to professional and lifelong training. This push for digitalization is driven by the urgent need to modernize and adapt Spain’s educational system to the evolving technological landscape and shifting labor market demands. A range of government policies and targeted programs have been instrumental in supporting these efforts, aimed at bridging the digital divide and enhancing the overall quality of education.

Image by Gerd Altman in Pixabay

Digitalization initiatives and policies

Spain’s digitalization and policies on digitalization include the following:

The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, and Sports has launched the #DigEdu Plan, a comprehensive programme aimed at modernizing the technological infrastructure in educational institutions and improving digital skills for teachers and students. This project aims to provide over 300,000 devices to reduce the digital access gap and supply more than 500,000 connected devices to educational centres, 80% of which have already been distributed.

The Digital VET Plan focuses on the digitalization of vocational training. Its objectives include:

• Designing new digital qualifications required by the job market.
• Training teachers in applied digitalization and specialization programmes with high demand in the industrial sector.
• Promoting integrated centres and national reference centres in the digital sector.
• Encouraging innovation projects between centres and digital sector companies. 

Royal Decree 659/2023, of July 18, regulates the structure of the Vocational Training system, introducing significant changes with a focus on digitalization. A specific module on “Digitalization applied to the production system” has been included in intermediate and advanced vocational training cycles, aimed at equipping students with essential skills and knowledge to handle digital tools and adapt to technological advances in the labour market.

The Programa Código Escuela 4.0 is another significant initiative, aimed at integrating computational thinking and programming into the curriculum from the early stages of education. The goal is to promote new literacy skills, enabling students to understand the logic of digital media. In addition, access to age-appropriate robotic devices will be provided, along with teacher training, fostering their integration into classrooms. The programme includes teacher training through workshops and the provision of programming software and educational robotics hardware. To ensure effective implementation in the classroom, this training will be supported by ongoing teacher assistance and access to open educational resources.

On the other hand, Aula Mentor, an initiative by the MEFPD, offers non-formal training with over 240 courses organized into 14 thematic areas. Many of these areas are closely related to digitalization, especially the “IT and Communications” area, which offers courses to improve computer skills. Other modules within these areas also address key aspects of digital training, such as “Graphic Arts” or “Image and Sound”.

Digitalization Indicators in Spain and International Comparison

The 2023 GEM Report on technology and education underscores how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of technology in education. In Spain, significant progress has been made in integrating digital technologies, including access to devices and digital learning platforms. In this context, the report highlights Spain as a country demonstrating remarkable adaptability in training for Artificial Intelligence. Unlike many other European nations, Spain has largely embraced AI as an opportunity, not only for innovation but also as a powerful tool for enhancing education and workforce training.

At the European level, Spain has been recognized for its efforts to integrate technology into education. The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) has highlighted the growing need for digital skills among teachers due to the digitalization accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, more than 63% of EU teachers had to learn how to use new digital technologies to perform their jobs compared to the pre-pandemic era, with a notable increase in the use of devices such as laptops and tablets in their work.

However, Spain still faces significant challenges, such as the persistence of the digital gap, especially in rural areas and among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. According to UNESCO, there is a 10% disparity in computer skills between rural and urban areas. While this is a positive figure compared to the broader European context, there is still room for improvement. Additionally, a gender gap persists in the accreditation of advanced computer skills, with a ratio of 0.4 women for every man. However, this disparity is smaller than in other Eurozone countries such as Germany, Austria, and Sweden, where the ratio hovers around 0.2 women for every man.

The future of education in Spain lies in inclusive digitalization, focusing not only on infrastructure but also on the training of both teachers and students. The integration of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality, presents a unique opportunity to transform education, making it more accessible, engaging, and personalized. Digitalization in Spain’s education system is an ever-evolving reality, and with sustained commitment and a strategic vision, it is crucial to pave the way for a more inclusive, efficient, and future-oriented educational system..