The Mancomunitat de Catalunya and the Republican Generalitat invested considerable efforts in improving public education, building numerous schools and promoting advances in teaching. Teacher training was the subject of serious attention. Even at the height of the Civil War, they managed to provide education for almost every child in schools that were increasingly co-educational.

Franco's victory brought with it major changes in schools. Large numbers of teachers were sacked and former soldiers in Franco's forces put in their place. Military-style discipline was imposed in schools, and boys and girls were kept firmly apart. The subject matter in school curricula underlined the national, Catholic philosophy of the regime.