The public school known as Barrié de la Maza in Santa Comba, A Coruña, is actively pursuing a name change to 'Atomé' to shed its Francoist connections. This push for renaming, which received unanimous support from the school's council, has historical significance as it highlights the longstanding debate in Spain over the recognition and honors given to fascist figures from the Franco regime. The local community has been advocating for this change for many years, galvanized by the late professor Fernando Pintos, who championed the name change until his passing, expressing the desire for a name that reflects the community's values and history rather than its controversial past.

In addition to the proposed name change, the situation underscores a larger discussion within Spain about how to address the legacy of Franco and the symbols associated with his regime. For two decades, A Coruña has retained various structures honoring falangists and supporters of Franco, leading to clashes of opinion within the community. The ongoing dialogues about historical memory and accountability reflect broader challenges across Spain, where many regions are grappling with how to deal with monuments and institutions that carry the weight of a painful past.

As the school moves forward with the change, it symbolizes not only a shift in the identity of the educational institution but also the community's push toward reconciliation and a more inclusive representation of its history, setting a precedent for similar initiatives in other regions facing the complexities of Franco's legacy.