Madrid‘s bilingual education programs are facing retraction despite initial widespread adoption, mirroring a pattern of implementation without supporting evidence, while a new study reveals pervasive social media use among pre-teen children in Spain.
A recent investigation by El Diario and Unicef, alongside the University of Santiago de Compostela, found that four out of five 11-year-old children in Spain have a presence on social media platforms, with the average age of first mobile phone ownership being 10.8 years. The study, which examined primary school-aged children, also showed that half possess their own cell phones and nearly all bring them to school, despite existing prohibitions. Researchers highlighted potential risks faced by minors and proposed solutions, urging parents and educators to review the complete findings.
Meanwhile, the initial enthusiasm surrounding bilingual education programs launched in the Community of Madrid and afterward adopted elsewhere is waning, according to The Conversation. Critics point to a lack of justification – both for the programs’ original implementation and their current dismantling – and a continued absence of data demonstrating their effectiveness. An article published by The Conversation seeks to clarify the scientific evidence surrounding the impact of these programs.