I'm a bit peeved, because I can't get my slideshow to embed as I wish. :(
So, anyway, here is the link to some of my pics of La Carolina.
Showing posts with label andalucia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label andalucia. Show all posts
Friday, March 8, 2013
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Not A Good Time... For Teachers
It's not a happy camp at the moment in the world of Spanish Education. With the Government under pressure from the EU to make up its deficit, the Governments of Spain are making many cuts in public education and health.
In fact, in order to reduce the deficit to 1.5%, all Andalusian civil servants are facing a reduction in salary, the removal of several benefits, and a longer working week (35 to 37.5). What hurts them even more is that, shortly before becoming President of the Junta, José Antonion Griñan promised that civil servants' wages wouldn't be cut. Plus, they had to find out about the changes through the media, along with the rest of Andalucía.
What everyone is really angry about, however, is that there are some people who have got their funcionario (civil servant) jobs through who they know, and not what they know. So, those who studied so hard for the difficult oposiciones exams are extremely frustrated that these people were allowed through because of their contacts. They have a reputation for not working hard, as they know they're untouchable, and often earn more than those who worked their way up. Therefore, the other funcionarios are furious that their salaries are being reduced while these people swan around the office filling in time.
However, getting a job as a teacher in Spain is quite different to doing so in New Zealand.
First, you have to study your specialist subject at university. Most teachers only teach one subject here.
Next, you have to sit extremely difficult exams, which are called oposiciones. The reason that they're called 'oppositions' is because you really are trying to beat everyone else. Once you pass the exam and secure a teaching position, you are a civil servant (funcionario) who is guaranteed work as a teacher for life.
Because of this guarantee, many people want to be funcionarios. As a result, you don't just have to pass the exam, you have to do so with a high enough mark to be among the top few in order to get a job. You could be sent anywhere in the comunidad autónomo where you sat the exam, but you will at least have a job. You can't choose your school; you are sent to it by the local government. However, after having worked for some time, or if you have special skills, you can accumulate puntos (points) which allow you some say in the matter.
On the other hand, I have one friend who has passed the exam, but wasn't lucky enough to get a place, so is still working as an interino. Which brings me to my next point: interinos (temporary workers). These are people who have expertise in a teaching subject, but haven't sat or passed the opposiciones. They can be doing long term relieving, for a period of weeks, months, or even filling a position for a whole year if no-one else is available. They can be told one afternoon that they are being sent to somewhere five hours' drive away, and be required to sign papers in the capital of that province the following day.
What's more, the recent cuts are particularly harsh on interinos, reducing their working day, and therefore salary, by 15%.
So, understandably, morale is currently rather low in schools (and many offices, I imagine) around Andalucía.
In fact, in order to reduce the deficit to 1.5%, all Andalusian civil servants are facing a reduction in salary, the removal of several benefits, and a longer working week (35 to 37.5). What hurts them even more is that, shortly before becoming President of the Junta, José Antonion Griñan promised that civil servants' wages wouldn't be cut. Plus, they had to find out about the changes through the media, along with the rest of Andalucía.
 |
| A protest demonstration in Sevilla. |
What everyone is really angry about, however, is that there are some people who have got their funcionario (civil servant) jobs through who they know, and not what they know. So, those who studied so hard for the difficult oposiciones exams are extremely frustrated that these people were allowed through because of their contacts. They have a reputation for not working hard, as they know they're untouchable, and often earn more than those who worked their way up. Therefore, the other funcionarios are furious that their salaries are being reduced while these people swan around the office filling in time.
 |
| An enchufado (plugged in) is a person who gets a job through contacts (or enchufes). |
However, getting a job as a teacher in Spain is quite different to doing so in New Zealand.
First, you have to study your specialist subject at university. Most teachers only teach one subject here.
Next, you have to sit extremely difficult exams, which are called oposiciones. The reason that they're called 'oppositions' is because you really are trying to beat everyone else. Once you pass the exam and secure a teaching position, you are a civil servant (funcionario) who is guaranteed work as a teacher for life.
 |
| Students sitting opposiciones. |
Because of this guarantee, many people want to be funcionarios. As a result, you don't just have to pass the exam, you have to do so with a high enough mark to be among the top few in order to get a job. You could be sent anywhere in the comunidad autónomo where you sat the exam, but you will at least have a job. You can't choose your school; you are sent to it by the local government. However, after having worked for some time, or if you have special skills, you can accumulate puntos (points) which allow you some say in the matter.
 |
| Being an interino is difficult. |
On the other hand, I have one friend who has passed the exam, but wasn't lucky enough to get a place, so is still working as an interino. Which brings me to my next point: interinos (temporary workers). These are people who have expertise in a teaching subject, but haven't sat or passed the opposiciones. They can be doing long term relieving, for a period of weeks, months, or even filling a position for a whole year if no-one else is available. They can be told one afternoon that they are being sent to somewhere five hours' drive away, and be required to sign papers in the capital of that province the following day.
What's more, the recent cuts are particularly harsh on interinos, reducing their working day, and therefore salary, by 15%.
So, understandably, morale is currently rather low in schools (and many offices, I imagine) around Andalucía.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Chilly Easter Weather
So, I just overheard an elderly man talking to a friend in the street, having a convo about how it had suddenly got a lot cooler over Easter.
"Si, hace frío, hace fresquito. Pero un chaquetón y no pasa ná."
Translation: 'Yeah, it's cold, it's a bit chilly. But a wee jacket and no worries.'
Perhaps that's why I like Andalusia. Sometimes, they have that very NZ 'she'll be right' attitude!
"Si, hace frío, hace fresquito. Pero un chaquetón y no pasa ná."
Translation: 'Yeah, it's cold, it's a bit chilly. But a wee jacket and no worries.'
Perhaps that's why I like Andalusia. Sometimes, they have that very NZ 'she'll be right' attitude!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Sexism in Job Interviews
I was really shocked the other day when a friend was telling me about when she was looking for a job as a pharmacist (about 10 years ago, but still).
She was about 23 at the time, and had just finished her degree. When she went to interviews, she was asked on at least 2 separate occasions whether she had a boyfriend.
Because, if she had a boyfriend, she would want to get married. And, if she got married, she would want to have kids. And that would affect her job... so, if she said yes, she wouldn't get it.
Shouldn't this be illegal under a Human Rights Act or something like that? I'm pretty sure it would be in NZ!
In fact, yes, it's listed on the EEO Trust site (my emphasis):
She was about 23 at the time, and had just finished her degree. When she went to interviews, she was asked on at least 2 separate occasions whether she had a boyfriend.
Because, if she had a boyfriend, she would want to get married. And, if she got married, she would want to have kids. And that would affect her job... so, if she said yes, she wouldn't get it.
Shouldn't this be illegal under a Human Rights Act or something like that? I'm pretty sure it would be in NZ!
In fact, yes, it's listed on the EEO Trust site (my emphasis):
Human Rights Act
Employment is one of the five areas covered by the Human Rights Act 1993. Thirteen grounds for discrimination are covered by the Act. This means that employers (or those acting on their behalf, eg recruitment consultants) cannot discriminate against jobseekers or employees on any of the following grounds:- sex
- marital status
- religious belief
- ethical belief
- colour
- race
- ethnic or national origins
- disability
- age
- political opinion
- employment status
- family status
- sexual orientation.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Ten Reasons to Visit La Carolina
This is an Andalucian tv programme which visits all kinds of little places and explains to all us tv viewers why we should go there. The particular episode in the link is in my 'pueblo.' All in Spanish, but good to watch a bit to get a feel for what the town is like!
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