The controversy centers on point 3.4 of the organizational and operational instructions for public non-university educational centers in the Canary Islands, which states that talks, conferences, or events organized by individuals or groups "characterized by a certain ideological option that is not neutral and does not respect fundamental rights and public liberties recognized in our Constitution" will not be authorized.
Parliamentary groups such as the PSOE, Nueva Canarias-Bloque Canarista (NC-BC), and Vox have requested the rectification of this instruction, albeit for different reasons. While the opposition criticizes the potential arbitrariness and the door it opens to censorship, Minister Suárez championed public schools as spaces for coexistence and critical thinking.
The debate hinges on the interpretation of neutrality. The Socialist and NC-BC groups argue that absolute neutrality does not exist and that concepts such as gender equality or environmental defense are democratic commitments, not neutral ideological positions. PSOE deputy Marcos Hernández Guillén warned about the possibility that unions, environmentalists, or feminists could be considered ideological depending on the interpretation of the rule.
Faced with these criticisms, Poli Suárez denied the introduction of censorship mechanisms and stated that the rule aims to prevent hate speech, intolerance, or discrimination. He recalled that similar regulations already existed in previous legislatures and accused the opposition of focusing on a fragment of the text, ignoring that any restriction is linked to respect for fundamental rights.
NC deputy Carmen Hernández accused the Canary Islands government of moving towards ideological control, arguing that schools cannot be neutral regarding human rights or the fight against gender-based violence. For her part, Vox deputy Paula Jover questioned the increase in educational regulation and demanded greater guarantees for families to decide on their children's moral education.
