Spain plans 50% PhD rule for every university degree
Every university degree in Spain would need at least half its teaching staff to hold a PhD under plans announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid on 18 September. The proposed rules would also require in-person teaching where it is needed, particularly on health courses. Sánchez said the changes are intended to raise teaching standards and tackle insecure jobs.
PhD quota for each degree
At present, half of a university’s teaching staff must have doctorates across the institution as a whole. The government now wants that 50% threshold to apply separately to every degree course.
It also proposes that 40% of teaching staff should have full-time contracts.
In-person teaching for health courses
Sánchez said the government wants to stop private universities expanding online courses in response to rising demand without guaranteeing standards for quality and face-to-face teaching.
The new royal decree is still being prepared and will be developed with the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities. Sánchez pointed to a widening gap over the past decade: enrolment at public universities rose by 3%, while private institutions recorded a 128% increase.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com