The Minister of Education, Culture, and Sports of the Government of Aragon, Tomasa Hernández, visited the Bajo Cinca and Ramón J. Sender institutes in Fraga on February 3, 2026. The visit focused on evaluating the evolution of two vocational training (FP) programs recently implemented, underscoring the strategic importance of FP in the development of rural territories.
Vocational Training Adapted to Local Needs
During her visit, Hernández met with management teams, teachers, and students from the new FP programs. At IES Bajo Cinca, the intermediate level course in Care for Dependent Persons has 17 students in its first year. On the other hand, IES Ramón J. Sender offers the advanced course in Industrial Mechatronics to 21 first-year students. Both programs have been well received, reflecting a growing interest among students.
The minister emphasized that these programs are the result of a joint effort between institutions, the educational community, and the business sector. This approach aims to adapt the educational offerings to the specific needs of the local environment, allowing young people to acquire skills with high employability without leaving their community.
The Strategic Role of Vocational Training in Rural Areas
Hernández stressed that vocational training plays a crucial role in rural areas. By offering specialties connected to local economic activities, territorial cohesion is promoted, and the future of regions like Aragon is secured. According to the minister, the implementation of these training programs is essential for young people to train and work in their localities, contributing to the socioeconomic development of the area.
In the province of Huesca, 3,930 students are enrolled in FP across 68 different programs spread throughout various localities, in addition to 50 programs in the capital. Huesca is also home to two of the six Centers of Excellence for FP in Aragon: the CEPIFP Pirámide and the CPIFP Montearagón.
Other Topics Addressed During the Visit
In addition to evaluating the FP programs, the minister addressed requests from high school students for a PAU sub-office in Fraga. Hernández announced that a new meeting of the organizing committee will be called to reassess this situation. She also visited the renovation works at the former San José de Calasanz school, which the City Council is promoting to move the local FP programs there, thereby improving educational infrastructure.
