I am sure that the anger of many scholars has been twofold: From El Correo-Reka and EGAreka. But, to be honest, it didn’t resonate with the other world this time.

It’s been two days and the discussion about the PISA results has been put back on the desktop. Those who do not like the promotion of the Basque language return to work as wood distributors. But in this case, criticism has also come from other places, questions... in addition to the diversity of perspectives and origins.

The Basque workers envy the widespread concern about teaching: debates on the radio, the appearance of the counselor, the concerns and questions of the opposition, the opinions of experts...

But we are also envious of many other things. In the Basque Country, unlike formal education, the way in which it is taught is completely conditioned by evaluation. The training of workers is carried out without any clear criteria and with scarce resources. We don’t get much attention in universities either; there’s no training, no research, no dissemination...

The way of organizing in the Basque Country is also curious. This public-private dichotomy is not comparable to that of teaching, nor does the debate about it take place in the same parameters among the agents of the Basque Country. In addition, there are all kinds of working conditions in this sector of ours, as well as harsh situations of exploitation.

As a result of the turbulence that PISA has created, those responsible for teaching have begun to announce media, diagnostics, special plans. I suspect that the concern expressed in the article against the EGA will not have the same level of response. So far, we have put more studies before the critics: the last one for A1 and A2! Motivating the students!

If we really want to carry out all the plans that were intended to be promoted in the EBPN or in the Council’s Bai Euskarari strategic plan, Basque Literacy will have to be of vital importance. Euskalis must be included in the plans to influence the use of the workplace, sports center, administration and/or parents of the school or any other area.

If we really want to make people Basque, it will be essential to strengthen the Basque language in all these areas. It will be necessary to take appropriate measures to take firm steps, i.e. we will have to create planning everywhere.

For this purpose, the new curriculum can be a suitable tool. It outlines the appropriate methodology to adapt to local realities and also provides opportunities for a better evaluation system. But I suspect that at the moment we are a little disturbed by the adaptation of this curriculum in most of the Basque Country, with an increasing bureaucracy; and looking at the studies that we will have to manage and manage in the future.

The previous Curriculum dates back to 1999, the time of great planning. But our methodologies and those of the last century have not changed fundamentally. For this new methodology to be applied and for euskali to be truly effective in society, it is necessary to have a deep reflection, a lot of courage, and a firm decision; and, of course, the means.

And let’s not put these means on the expense side. It is clearly an investment! It was recently reported that the weight of the Basque world is 4.2% of GDP. Let us therefore make the decision to encourage this industry as well; let us make a profound industrial reconversion.

We are at the crossroads and we will need a thoughtful and courageous language policy to take the right course. But above all, we will need an independent policy. We cannot allow certain anti-Basque media to guide our policy. This does not mean that we should ignore them in this process. But please, at least let us not give them more money for the promotion of the Basque language!

Arkaitz Zarraga is a language teacher.