[3] In 1920 Francisco Barnés joined the Instituto-Escuela, where he taught until 1936 when the Institute was closed due to the Spanish Civil War (1936–39).

[1] He was appointed a member of the Board of Trustees of the Institución Libre de Enseñanza by ministerial order on 6 August 1931.

The board selected young teachers to undertake educational missions in the most remote and isolated villages of Spain.

They were carefully selected for their ability to create relaxed and friendly but serious relationships with the villagers, to avoid shocking them in any way while introducing them to modern culture.

[1] Barnés was again appointed Minister of Public Instruction in the government of Santiago Casares Quiroga in May 1936 and of José Giral in June 1936.

For one day on 19 July 1936 at the outbreak of the civil war he was replaced by Domingo Sanjuán, then returned to office, which he held until 4 September 1936.

[1] The damaged Republican destroyer José Luis Díez took refuge in Gibraltar in late August 1938.

[7] Barnés had difficulty obtaining permission from the British authorities for the sailors to disembark, which was only allowed under tight restrictions, and repairs had to be made clandestinely.