The new 2026-27 school year is set to begin in Ibiza and Formentera on September 10, with several changes being introduced across the islands' education system.

Among the main developments are improved teacher staffing, the expansion of school infrastructure in Formentera and the introduction of school canteens in every public school across Ibiza and Formentera.

The updates were presented by Balearic Education and Universities Minister Antoni Vera during meetings with representatives of the educational community.

Formentera Reaches Full Teacher Staffing

One of the most notable developments for Formentera is that 100% of the teaching positions offered have been filled ahead of the new school year.

The island has historically faced particular difficulties in attracting and retaining teachers, partly because of its housing situation and the challenges associated with living and working on a small island.

For the 2026-27 school year, however, the Education Department says all the teaching positions offered in Formentera have been covered.

In Ibiza, meanwhile, the large majority of vacancies have been filled following measures designed to attract teachers to posts considered difficult to cover.

School Canteens in Every Public School

Another major change will affect school meals.

For the first time, all public schools in the Balearic Islands will have a school canteen service, meaning that every public school in Ibiza and Formentera will also have access to the service.

The Education Department says it has created 35 new school canteens during the current legislature, extending the service to schools that previously did not have their own facilities.

The programme has both an educational and social objective.

For families, school canteens can make it easier to reconcile working hours with school schedules. The government also describes the service as a way of supporting students who may be experiencing socioeconomic difficulties and ensuring access to appropriate nutrition.

Expansion of IES Marc Ferrer

Infrastructure improvements are also part of the plans for the new academic year.

In Formentera, one of the main projects is the expansion of IES Marc Ferrer in Sant Francesc, the island's only secondary school.

The extension is intended to increase capacity and help reduce pressure on existing classrooms.

The project is particularly relevant because the school serves secondary students across Formentera, making its capacity an important issue for the island's education system.

Housing Remains a Challenge for Teachers

Despite the progress with staffing, the issue of housing for teachers remains a major concern in the Pitiusas.

The Education Department has identified access to accommodation for teachers who relocate to Ibiza or Formentera as one of the issues that needs to be addressed as part of the next education agreement covering 2027-2031.

The problem is particularly pronounced in Formentera, where limited housing availability and high rental costs can make it difficult for public-sector workers to find suitable accommodation.

The next round of discussions will therefore include measures relating to island residency and mobility support.

Preparing the Next Education Agreement

The Balearic Government is also beginning discussions with education-sector organisations about the next agreement for the period from 2027 to 2031.

The consultation process is expected to continue until the end of the year.

Among the issues being discussed are teacher mobility, housing and support for teachers working on the islands.

Education authorities are also proposing the creation of a mentoring system, under which experienced teachers would accompany newly appointed teachers during their first year in the education system.

Possible Changes to Teachers' Pay

Another issue expected to form part of the negotiations is the gradual recovery of extraordinary payments for teachers.

The Education Department says it intends to negotiate a timetable with the trade unions for the gradual restoration of these payments.

This will form part of the broader discussions surrounding the next education agreement.

What This Means for Ibiza Families

For families in Ibiza, one of the most immediate changes will be the availability of school canteens across the public education system.

The expansion could make daily school arrangements easier for parents and guardians who need childcare and meal provision during working hours.

The staffing situation is also being improved, although the picture differs between the two islands.

While Formentera has achieved full coverage of the teaching positions offered, Ibiza has filled the vast majority of its vacancies through measures aimed at difficult-to-cover posts.

A New School Year for the Pitiusas

The 2026-27 academic year begins with several significant developments across Ibiza and Formentera.

Formentera enters the year with all offered teaching positions covered, while the expansion of IES Marc Ferrer is intended to address capacity at the island's only secondary school.

Across both islands, public schools will also benefit from the wider rollout of school canteen services.

At the same time, housing for teachers remains an important challenge, particularly on Formentera, and will form part of the discussions around the next education agreement.

With classes beginning on September 10, the focus will now shift from preparation to how these measures work in practice throughout the new academic year.