Initial assessments of the school placement application process for the upcoming academic year, conducted last March, indicate that changes implemented by the Junta de Andalucía in enrollment procedures have produced varied effects across Seville's educational districts. While some areas, such as the Old Town, have achieved a balance between supply and demand, other zones have seen an increase in applications that cannot be accommodated due to the reduction of the student-to-teacher ratio from 25 to 22 students per classroom in three-year-old Infant Education.
This measure, promoted by the Ministry of Educational Development and Vocational Training, anticipates the plans of the central government and responds to declining birth rates and alleged pedagogical reasons. However, it has generated disagreements between private education employers' associations and unions. The drop in birth rates has left many classrooms empty, but the new ratio has meant that high-demand centers cannot admit all interested families.
“"In general, the decline in birth rates is still noticeable. Most centers have received fewer applications than in 2025."
Rafael Caamaño, president of CECE, one of the private education employers' associations, has expressed the concerns of the schools he represents. Although the data is not yet definitive, Caamaño highlights the persistent decline in birth rates, resulting in fewer applications in most centers compared to 2025. Nevertheless, he insists on the need to analyze the situation by educational districts, as there are specific circumstances in each of the city's 11 districts.
In centers like Colegio Claret in Heliópolis, 143 applications were registered for 110 places, increasing the imbalance compared to 2025. A similar situation is experienced at Padres Blancos, in Los Remedios, with 97 applications for 88 places. Buen Pastor, in Nervión, shows an even greater imbalance, with 57 applications for 44 places. The director of the latter center, Joaquín Egea Romero, laments that the ratio reduction "punishes schools that, by doing their job well, have high demand" and questions its pedagogical effectiveness.
“"The reduction of the ratio punishes schools that, by doing their job well, have high demand. This limit should only be applied in specific areas."
On the other hand, in public schools in the Old Town, such as CEIP Jardines del Valle and CEIP San Isidoro in Mateos Gago, the situation is different. These centers are managing to fill their places, which was not the case in previous years. This district, in addition to the declining birth rate, is affected by tourist pressure, which has reduced the number of resident families.
Families will receive the scaled lists of applicants on Friday, April 17, opening an appeals period. On Wednesday, May 13, a draw will be held for families with tied scores, and the final lists of admitted students will be published on May 14. Criteria such as having siblings at the chosen center, proximity of the family home, and family income grant higher scores.
