Politics · Spain · 1 hr ago
Madrid teachers’ strike brings protests and clashes with police
Public-school teachers in Madrid continued an indefinite strike that began on 14 October.
They are seeking lower teaching workloads, more resources and changes to how schools are run, saying current conditions affect both staff and pupils.
Protests disrupted traffic and targeted regional education officials, including a demonstration that blocked a road and another outside a school where a visit by Education Minister Mercedes Zarzalejo was cancelled.
Around 500 teachers later protested near an event attended by Madrid leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and police pushed demonstrators away from the venue’s entrance.
Ayuso accused Spain’s national government and the political left of encouraging the protests, while also criticising the demonstrators.
Teachers are pressing the regional government to negotiate their demands, and the strike was still under way on Monday.
Madrid public-school teachers continued an indefinite strike on Monday, 19 October, with protests disrupting traffic and drawing police intervention.
Hundreds of teachers protested at events involving regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso and education minister Mercedes Zarzalejo.
Police officers charged at protesters blocking access to an event attended by Ayuso at the Palacio de Santoña.
Ayuso blamed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the government delegate for violence in Madrid’s streets.
Teachers are demanding better working conditions, more investment in schools and negotiations with the regional government.
- Who
- Public-school teachers in the Community of Madrid, and regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso.
- What
- Teachers continued an indefinite strike and staged protests; police charged at demonstrators near an event attended by Ayuso. Ayuso blamed Sánchez and the government delegate for violence in the streets.
- When
- Monday, 19 October 2026. The strike began on 14 October.
- Where
- Madrid, including the A-3, the Antonio Palacios vocational school in Vallecas and the Palacio de Santoña.
- Why
- Teachers are seeking better working conditions, more resources and negotiations. Ayuso accused Sánchez and the “anti-democratic left” of fomenting unrest and sending demonstrators to harass her government.
Madrid regional government, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso
Striking public-school teachers
Responsibility for unrest
Madrid regional government, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso
Ayuso blamed Sánchez, the government delegate and the “anti-democratic left” for violence and harassment.
Striking public-school teachers
Teachers protested to press their demands; they called for negotiations and defended public education.
Strike and protests
Madrid regional government, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso
Ayuso criticised the demonstrators, saying they did not respect children’s right to attend school.
Striking public-school teachers
Teachers say current conditions make their work difficult and affect the attention students receive.
The indefinite strike by Madrid public-school teachers began.
Teachers protested at the Antonio Palacios vocational school in Vallecas, and Zarzalejo cancelled a planned visit.
Teachers gathered near the A-3 and blocked a lane connecting to the M-30.
Police charged at demonstrators blocking access to Ayuso’s event at the Palacio de Santoña; Ayuso later left by another part of the street.
- Strike began
- 14 October 2026
- Protest location
- A-3, at the entrance to Madrid
- Teachers at Ayuso event
- About 500, according to EL PAÍS
- Vallecas protest
- More than 300 teachers, according to La Vanguardia
- Ayuso event venue
- Palacio de Santoña, central Madrid
- Teacher demands
- Better working conditions, reduced teaching loads and more resources
4 sources
Cientos de profesores se concentran en un acto de Ayuso para exigirle que hable con ellos
Irene Montero, sobre la huelga de educación: "Han cortado la A3, ánimo y fuerza"
Escrache contra Ayuso que culpa a Sánchez de la violencia en las calles: cargas policiales contra manifestantes a favor de la enseñanza pública
La policía carga contra un grupo de profesores de Madrid que bloqueaba la entrada a un acto de Ayuso
What people are saying
I want to know why there is no police and no reinforcements where it is clear these things are happening.
If Pedro Sánchez thinks that by harassing me and sending the unions to the strikes, while he goes around playing the lover of Spain, he is going to intimidate us in the Community of Madrid, he is very much mistaken, because we are in a democracy.
They don't want peace in the streets, they want Paris.
The teachers are still on strike fighting for quality public education and have just blocked the A-3. Strength and courage in this struggle, which is everyone's!
Posts on X
La Policía Nacional nos ha recomendado suspender la visita que íbamos a realizar al instituto público Antonio Palacios al no poder garantizar la seguridad y para evitar problemas de orden público . En tres días los huelguistas han perdido gran parte del apoyo de los docentes en
Los profes y las profes siguen de huelga luchando por una educación pública de calidad y han cortado ahora mismo la A3. ¡Fuerza y ánimo con esta lucha que es la de todas!