Complete Guide to Teacher Recruitment Exams in the Canary Islands

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If you're thinking of making the leap into the civil service in the islands, you'll have realized that the path can seem like a maze. And rightly so, since coordinating study time with official deadlines requires meticulous organization to avoid being left out due to a simple administrative error.

To avoid any last-minute surprises, we've compiled absolutely all the details about the selection processes in the archipelago. From the breakdown of vacancies to the intricacies of fees and the exam, here's a complete and detailed guide so you can be prepared and not miss any important information.

Competitive examinations for the Teaching Corps

The call for applications for teachers has made a total of 686 positions available , distributed according to specialization. Looking at the breakdown, Primary Education tops the list with 215 vacancies, followed closely by Special Education with 120 and Early Childhood Education with 110. There are also openings for those specializing in English (91), Physical Education (65), Music (37), Speech and Language Therapy (25), and French (23).

Regarding the timeline, the application period opens on March 26th and lasts 20 business days , ending on Friday, April 24th. An interesting point is that the process not only allows applicants to secure a permanent position but also opens the door to being included on substitute teacher lists for other specialties, if desired.

It is essential to know that places are divided between open competition and a specific quota for people with disabilities . For example, in Primary school there are 194 open places and 21 reserved places, while in Early Childhood Education there are 99 and 11 respectively.

Secondary school positions and other teaching positions

Not all the openings are for primary school teachers. An additional 235 positions have also been made available for secondary school teachers and other educational fields. Among these, Administrative Management Processes (66 vacancies) and Installation and Maintenance of Thermal and Fluid Equipment (26) stand out. Other specializations include Electronic Equipment (16), Clinical and Orthoprosthetic Diagnosis (17), and Agricultural Production (15), among other technical areas.

For those considering the Official Language School (EOI), there are 7 places available in Spanish for Foreigners. Meanwhile, in Fine Arts and Design, there are vacancies in Sculpture, Interior Design, and Computer and Audiovisual Media. Additionally, there are options in Vocational Training (FP) specializations such as Carpentry, Welding, and Machining. The application period for these programs is usually shorter, typically falling between the end of November and December.

Essential requirements for participation

To avoid being rejected when you apply, you must meet certain basic requirements. First, you must be a Spanish citizen or a citizen of the European Union (or a country with free movement agreements). In addition, you must have the necessary functional capacity for the position, be at least 16 years old, and not have reached retirement age.

Other key requirements include not having been dismissed from any public administration through disciplinary proceedings and, of course, having paid the corresponding fee . If you are applying for the disability quota, you must have a disability rating of 33% or higher. Depending on the position, you may be required to provide specific qualifications, driver's licenses , or medical aptitudes, especially for internal promotions where you must already be a permanent employee of the administration.

Management of fees and potential discounts

Entering the game requires paying a fee using tax form 700 on the Canary Islands Tax Agency's website. However, there are ways to save on this expense or pay less. For example, those with large families, those legally unemployed, those whose income does not exceed the minimum wage, or those with a disability of 33% or more are exempt from payment .

If you don't qualify for full exemptions, you could receive a 50% discount . This applies to large families (general category), Canary Islands Administration staff seeking internal promotion, or simply for submitting the application electronically , provided it's not the only required method.

Exam structure and development

The teachers' exam is a single test divided into two sections that are not eliminatory. Part A focuses on subject-specific knowledge and consists of developing a topic chosen by the candidate from several drawn by the panel, with a duration of two and a half hours.

Part B assesses pedagogical aptitude and technical mastery . Here you will have to prepare and present a teaching unit. You have 30 minutes to prepare it, 30 minutes to present it, and another 10 minutes to answer the jury's questions. One critical detail: you must submit two copies of the teaching unit in a sealed envelope at the start of the first test; if you forget, you will not be able to take Part B.

The teaching unit must be original, between 10 and 25 pages long, use 11-point Times New Roman font, and include a cover page and table of contents. Remember that you can apply for a maximum of two specializations , provided you pay the fees for each one.

Steps after approving the call

Once you see your name on the list of successful candidates, the administrative phase begins. If you have passed several competitive exams in different regions, you will have to withdraw from one of them to accept the permanent position. Afterward, you must request a temporary assignment for the following academic year.

You have 20 business days to submit the required documents: your national identity card (DNI) and the Certificate of Pedagogical Aptitude or the corresponding Master's degree. You also have the option of requesting a 15-day postponement of the start of your internship. Finally, after being appointed as a trainee civil servant and successfully completing the internship, you will be issued your permanent civil servant title , thus securing your position.

The entire process, from fulfilling the legal requirements and paying the fees to passing the theoretical and pedagogical tests, culminates with the final appointment after the internship period, thus ensuring access to public education in the Canary Islands in various specialties.