Statement from the Formentera Island Council concerning the sentences handed down by the TSJIB with respect to the TIL

In light of the three sentences, issued 22 September 2014, by the Contentious Administrative Hall of the Balearic Islands Superior Court of Justice declaring null and void Decree 15/2013 [19 April] which regulates the use of languages at non-university educational centres in the Balearic Islands (known as Decret TIL), and in light of the sentence issued on the present date, which declares null and void the order that established the implementation of the Decret TIL, the Formentera Island Council wishes to state the following:

1. The court rulings, in addition to nullifying the Decret TIL, state that application of the decree “is of considerable significance for the Catalan language because it effects an undermining of the use of Catalan in the educational process and a reduction in the use of Catalan in teaching.” The sentence (number 443) continues: “...from this perspective, if it is the duty of the public administration to ensure linguistic normalisation in the Balearic Islands, a change from a bilingualist to trilingualist educational model, whose objective it is that the citizens of tomorrow achieve a total and perfect command of three languages – the two official languages and one foreign, this a response to recommendations by the European Union as well as to the undeniable fact that European citizens are at present obliged a certain familiarity with the language of greatest influence in the European context – must also surely impact the process of linguistic normalisation.”

2. The TSJIB ruling finds that insofar as the Catalan language and its normalisation in the educational context is affected, the Decret TIL impacts the assessorial and preceptive functions assigned to the Universitat de les Illes Balears by article 35 of the Balearic Islands Statute of Autonomy.

3. The rulings issued by the TSJIB find that Decree 15/2013 [19 April] (Decret TIL), which regulates the use of languages at non-university educational centres in the Balearic Islands, as well as the secondary order establishing the implementation of that decree, contained neither the scientific, nor the academic, nor the pedagogical consideration required of such a decree.

4. The Formentera Island Council, as manifested on numerous occasions through plenary accords and through its participation in the Consell Escolar de les Illes Balears (Academic Council of the Balearic Islands), opposed the development of the TIL, its lack of necessary financial support –a fact also mentioned in the TSJIB sentences–, and the precipitated manner in which the new linguistic projects were imposed on educational centres. Moreover, the Formentera Island Council holds firm in its conviction that no change to the educational model shall be imposed if it is detrimental to the process of linguistic normalisation of the language of the Balearic Islands, nor shall a change be imposed if it represents an aggression to the agents comprising the educational system. The future of our students is too important, and the autonomy of our educational centres and that of their respective academic councils -the most informed parties with respect to local linguistic circumstances- must be respected.

5. It is therefore our conviction that the sentences handed down today and yesterday by the TSJIB are an opportunity for the Govern Balear to reflect and reconsider its decisions in a manner that values consensus.

Radio stations and other comments: Sònia Cardona, councillor of Education of the Formentera Council, 666155829