Under education legislation passed in 1990, the Spanish government reserves the right to determine a given amount of what is taught in schools. In regions where the official language is Spanish, the Spanish government can legislate 65 percent of the curriculum. Elsewhere, where the official language of the region is not Spanish, the Spanish government can exercise control over 55 percent of what is taught. This difference in itself is indicative of the kind of latitude Spain gives to its diverse autonomous communities. In regions such as Catalonia, where students are instructed in Catalan, Castillian Spanish is taught as a second language.
Many students are less than completely comfortable conversing in Spanish.
Up until now, the central government has not taken full advantage of its right to determine countrywide curricula. However, now that it is moving forward to reclaim its power, socialists are stepping in to make their voices heard. The new secondary school reform plan, including the history proposals, was officially unveiled November 14. The changes it advocates are much less extensive than originally expected, although many in Catalonia and the Basque Country remain skeptical. The reform plan provides for more hours of mathematics and language each week, and for an additional philosophy class, among other changes.