Infanta Sofía delivers first public speech, calls for greater respect for teachers
Spain's Infanta Sofía, 19, delivered her first public address at an education awards ceremony in Zaragoza, calling for more respect and resources for teachers and highlighting challenges like bullying and low pay.
A historic first speech
Infanta Sofía, second in line to the Spanish throne, gave her first public address on Wednesday at the Monasterio de Cogullada in Zaragoza. She presided over the first edition of the 'Docentes Referentes' awards by Fundación Ibercaja, where she serves as president of honor. The 19-year-old spoke for over five minutes, receiving a standing ovation of more than a minute.
Surprise family support
Although the event was scheduled as a solo engagement, her parents King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and her sister Princess Leonor, made a surprise appearance. Leonor joined her in the morning workshops, and the King and Queen arrived in the afternoon. The family sat in the front row, and after the speech, Queen Letizia was seen holding Sofía's hand in a gesture of pride.
- Princess Leonor surprises Sofía at pre-event workshops in Zaragoza.
- King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia arrive unexpectedly at the Monasterio de Cogullada.
- Sofía delivers first public address, lists challenges facing teachers and calls for more respect.
- Audience gives over a minute of applause; Queen Letizia holds Sofía's hand in a proud gesture.
Defending the teaching profession
In her speech, Sofía declared that
and called the professionnobody chooses to teach for money or recognition
She stressed that teachers deserveone of the best in the world.
She quoted Professor Carlos López Otín's three words for the art of educating:respect, resources and all the recognition.
respect, curiosity and commitment.
Challenges in Spanish classrooms
The Infanta did not shy away from listing problems facing educators: bullying, loss of authority, questioned pay, school dropout, classroom ratios, students with special needs, excessive bureaucracy, lack of funding, and educational inclusion. She acknowledged that in every school there is a teacher,
who still tries to reach each student.often exhausted,
A personal inspiration
Sofía recalled watching the film 'Buda explotó por vergüenza' at age eight, about an Afghan girl fighting for the right to learn. That story, she said, made her go to class
She emphasized that beyond pedagogical trends or social media distractions, there is a day in every childhood when a teacher says something that stays with you forever.with renewed spirits every morning.
