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The return to school in Ceuta starts "without incidents" and 70% attendance: "We wanted to go back"
Spain🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/8/2026

The return to school in Ceuta starts "without incidents" and 70% attendance: "We wanted to go back"

The return to school in Ceuta has begun 'without incidents,' with approximately 70% attendance overall, according to reports. The main school in the El Príncipe neighborhood, which houses many migrants and has seen reports of nighttime aggression against them, opened under private security measures as part of the government’s plan for the resumption of classes. Unlike other schools, there were no military personnel present. According to the UGT teachers' union, the first hours of the school day passed smoothly, though attendance varied significantly between schools, with higher numbers in central areas compared to peripheral neighborhoods like El Príncipe and near the border. Families expressed uncertainty about whether their children would find the schools open, but most students ended up attending. Some parents noted concerns over insufficient police presence around the schools. Children, such as Salima and Melka, who are starting sixth grade, expressed excitement about returning to school and seeing friends.

Approximately 18,000 students in Ceuta will return to school on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, under heightened security measures following a period of migration-related instability in the city. Parents have expressed concerns over safety, with some considering whether to send their children to class amid fears linked to the presence of migrants living in precarious conditions. The Ministry of Education has proposed police accompaniment along student routes and increased security around schools during afternoons and nights to prevent unauthorized access. These measures were introduced last week by the local Security Council, though one final meeting is scheduled to finalize details. The decision to reinforce security comes after thousands of migrants arrived in Ceuta in late July, leading to overcrowded streets and a humanitarian crisis. Some public schools had been used temporarily to house migrants, while others remain near areas where migrants continue to gather. For parents like Santiago’s mother, who lives in the city center, the concern centers on ensuring her child's safety during his commute to primary school. She noted that older students, particularly those attending secondary school, face greater risks due to the need to travel alone. The uncertainty surrounding the new school year has led some families to question whether to send their children to school immediately. A 36-year-old woman preparing to protest outside the regional government building said she felt anxious regardless of whether she was close to or far from the migrant groups. Meanwhile, schools located in the city center are considered less exposed to the migrant population compared to those in more peripheral neighborhoods. The return to school coincides with ongoing legal scrutiny regarding the circumstances of the mass migration into Ceuta. Minister of Transport Óscar Puente criticized the impartiality of Judge María Tardón, who is investigating the incident, suggesting that her request for the National Police not to share findings with authorities raised questions about her objectivity. Puente questioned why the judge would distrust the police and suggested that the release of the police report through a right-leaning media outlet indicated bias. He emphasized that there was no evidence linking the influx of migrants to a coordinated operation by Morocco and stressed that the police were conducting independent investigations. Judge Tardón has focused her inquiry on alleged negligence by Moroccan authorities, citing the behavior of Moroccan security forces as evidence of a "clear and undeniable supportive management" of the migration process. Her investigation highlights potential violations of Spain’s territorial integrity, as outlined in Article 2 of the Spanish Constitution. Parents and educators remain divided on how best to proceed with the start of the academic year. While some feel reassured by the added security, others remain unconvinced and are weighing the option of delaying their children’s return to school until further assurances can be made. The situation continues to evolve, with the effectiveness of the implemented security measures being closely monitored by both the community and local authorities.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

elDiario.es logoelDiario.esIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 809/8/2026
The return to school in Ceuta starts "without incidents" and 70% attendance: "We wanted to go back"

The return to school in Ceuta has begun 'without incidents,' with approximately 70% attendance overall, according to reports. The main school in the El Príncipe neighborhood, which houses many migrants and has seen reports of nighttime aggression against them, opened under private security measures as part of the government’s plan for the resumption of classes. Unlike other schools, there were no military personnel present. According to the UGT teachers' union, the first hours of the school day passed smoothly, though attendance varied significantly between schools, with higher numbers in central areas compared to peripheral neighborhoods like El Príncipe and near the border. Families expressed uncertainty about whether their children would find the schools open, but most students ended up attending. Some parents noted concerns over insufficient police presence around the schools. Children, such as Salima and Melka, who are starting sixth grade, expressed excitement about returning to school and seeing friends.

Bias read (Center): The article provides a balanced account of the situation, including perspectives from local authorities, educators, and families. It mentions both the government's efforts and the concerns raised by residents regarding safety and security. There is no overtly biased language or selective sourcing.

Why factuality (85): The article provides more detailed information including the 70% attendance rate, specific locations like El Príncipe, and quotes from officials such as Cristobal Guzmán. These details align with the general consensus found in other reports and add credibility to the account of the return to school

Why objectivity (80): The article presents a relatively balanced view by mentioning both the presence of security measures and the absence of military personnel. It includes direct quotes from officials and mentions varying levels of attendance across different areas, offering a nuanced perspective rather than taking an

RTVE Noticias logoRTVE NoticiasState / PublicCenterFactual 75Objective 709/6/2026
Uncertain return to school in Ceuta: some families are considering not taking their children to school

The return to school in Ceuta has created uncertainty, with some families considering not sending their children to class. Parents and teachers are concerned about the situation, despite increased police presence and private security at schools. The article highlights the anxiety surrounding this new challenge for the community.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced view of the concerns raised by parents and teachers regarding the return to school in Ceuta, without showing clear favoritism toward any side. It mentions the increased security measures but does not take a stance on the underlying issues causing the uncertainty.

Why factuality (75): The article mentions that some families are considering not sending their children to school, but does not provide specific data or quotes to support this claim. It references concerns from parents and teachers but lacks concrete details such as survey results or official statistics. The information

Why objectivity (70): The tone is somewhat neutral but includes phrases like 'incierta vuelta al cole' which implies uncertainty without providing a balanced view of the situation. The article focuses on the concerns of parents and teachers without presenting opposing perspectives or broader context.

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