6.2 Administration and governance
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Address
Instituto de la Juventud de España
Spanish Institute for Youth
C/ José Ortega y Gasset 71
ES-28006 Madrid
Tel: +34 917 827 602
E-Mail:
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Governance
Main actors
Spain’s decentralised education system is based on Spanish Constitution of 1978 (Constitución Española de 1978), which allocates powers to both national and regional authorities. Education is one of the key responsibilities transferred to the 17 Autonomous Communities.
General distribution of responsibilities
At national level, the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport (Ministerio de Educación, Formación Profesional y Deportes) defines general guidelines for education policy, regulates the basic structure of the educational system and sets out key objectives, principles and legal frameworks.
At regional level, the Autonomous Communities are responsible for developing and implementing these national within their territories. They have full authority over educational management, including staffing, budgeting, infrastructure, and partially defining curricular content.
Training curricula are developed cooperatively between the Ministry and the regional Education Departments through the cross-sectional cooperation bodies.
Local administrations may offer additional education and training activities beyond the official curriculum. They also have competences to monitor the fulfilment of compulsory education under Article 25.2n of the Law 7/1985 (Ley 7/1985, de 2 de abril, Reguladora de las Bases del Régimen Local).
Individual educational institutions have autonomy in defining their educational projects, choosing teaching methods, managing budgets, and setting operational and organisational rules.
Cross-sectorial cooperation
National education policy is coordinated through the Sectoral Conference of Education (Conferencia Sectorial de Educación) which brings together the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport and the 17 Autonomous Communities, each represented by their Education Counsellors.
The Sectoral Conference includes 6 thematic committees coordinated by the General Education Commission. These serve as permanent bodies of inter-regional cooperation, with participation from the relevant general directors in each Autonomous Community.
In the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla, where no regional governments exist, the Ministry directly manages all educational responsibilities.
The State School Council is national consultative and advisory body that brings together representatives from various sectors related to educational, including teachers, students, families, and administrators. It works closely with the Autonomous School Councils (Consejos Escolares Autonómicos) and offers guidance to the government on all aspects of the education system. It was established by the 1985 Organic Law regulating the right to education (Ley Orgánica 8/1985, de 3 de julio, reguladora del Derecho a la Educación).
University Education bodies
The Council of Universities (Consejo de Universidades) coordinates academic and institutional matters across Spanish universities. Chaired by the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, it includes university rectors of the universities and other key figures appointed based on their expertise and contributions to higher education.
The Conference of Spanish Universities Rectors (Conferencia de Rectores de las Universidades Españolas (CRUE)) is the main representative body of universities. It plays a key role in liaising with the government on higher education regulations, fostering international partnerships and promoting university cooperation with business and civil society.
Vocational and Artistic Education Bodies
Regional Councils for vocational training are consultative and advisory bodies for issuing guidelines on vocational training design and programming. They coordinate with the regional School Councils and University Councils and are involved in the National System of Qualifications and Professional Training (Sistema Nacional de Cualificaciones y Formación Profesional). These councils help shape regional vocational training plans and ensure alignment with local labour market needs.
Some examples include the Community of Madrid Council for Vocational Training, and INCUAM (Institute of Qualifications of the region of Murcia).
For Higher Artistic Education, the Board of Governors for Higher Arts Studies (Consejo Superior de Enseñanzas Artísticas (CSEA)) is an advisory body to the national government. It ensures participation of stakeholders from the arts education sector and advises on policy and development in this area.
Internationalisation and Erasmus+ Implementation
Spain´s participation in the Erasmus+ Program (2021-2027) is coordinated by multiple institutions. The Spanish Service for the Internationalization of Education (SEPIE), under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades), plays a central role in managing, promoting, and evaluating the programme in the education and training sectors. SEPIE works closely with regional governments and universities and International Relations Offices (ORIs), maintaining ongoing cooperation with student networks and mobility stakeholders.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also contributes to international education cooperation, particularly in mobility agreements and diplomatic coordination.