In Spain, educational standards have come under scrutiny as recent figures indicate that 27% of students in the compulsory secondary education stage (ESO) are advancing to the next grade with pending subjects. This situation has worsened compared to five years ago, where 22% of students were in a similar position. The shift began with the policies introduced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government, which have allowed greater flexibility in student promotion despite failing grades, potentially weakening foundational knowledge in students aged 12 to 16.

As students progress through their educational journey, many are finding themselves ill-prepared for higher academic demands, particularly in the Bachillerato program, which follows ESO. Reports reveal that some students are struggling with basic literacy and numeracy skills, highlighting a significant concern among educators and policymakers. The consistency of this issue raises alarms about long-term outcomes for the affected students and whether they will be able to compete successfully in higher education or the job market.

The educational landscape in Spain, especially in regions like Galicia, is being analyzed through innovative methods, including predictive analytics and artificial intelligence, which aim to identify students at risk of dropping out before it occurs. This approach reflects a growing recognition of the complexity of educational challenges and the need for proactive measures to address the root causes of academic underachievement, rather than merely managing the symptoms of a failing system.