By Conor Patrick Faulkner

The south easterly region of Murcia is emerging as the front line in the battle between two competing visions of Spain and it all centres on what to teach in schools.

It's the big issue in Spain this week but what is the "parental pin" and why is everyone talking about it? Conor Patrick Faulkner in Murcia explores the issue.

Murcia, a region that recently lurched rightwards and ultra-right Vox won the highest vote share, is engulfed by bitter debate about education policy and whether parents should have a say in what their children are taught in schools.

Introduced in September, the policy allows parents to veto their children’s involvement in certain educational workshops, but the controversy is already resonating beyond Murcia’s borders and catching the attention of national government, media and consciousness.

What is the “Parental Pin” veto policy?

The controversy has arisen from Vox’s “Parental Pin” policy, in effect a veto that allows parents to prevent their children from partaking in complementary school workshops that incorporate “ideological or moral leaning against their convictions”. The workshops are not voluntary after school activities, but part of the basic curriculum within normal school hours.

The pin policy states that schools must now obtain the permission of parents “through an express authorisation” in order to run workshops or activities discussing social and ethical values, particularly what Vox deem “sexual morals”. Vox has faced widespread criticism for reactionary positions on immigration, abortion, homosexuality, minority rights, gun control and Islam, among others. Read more via The Local