The remarkable surge in population growth in the southern part of Tenerife during the current century has placed numerous educational institutions in the region under extreme strain. This situation has been further exacerbated by the sluggishness of governmental bodies in planning the construction of new schools and expediting the creation of additional spaces within existing facilities. The combination of these factors, along with the inadequacy of the new facilities to accommodate the surging population, has led to a dramatic increase in student-teacher ratios in the region, the highest in the province.
The overcrowding is evident in the occupation of shared spaces such as laboratories, art or music rooms, and even the conversion of playgrounds into classrooms. Unions have described this situation as “very serious,” warning that the high number of students per class has a detrimental impact on the quality of education, resulting in behavioural issues and conflict situations for teachers.
Municipalities such as Arona, Granadilla, Adeje, and San Miguel, which are home to the largest population in the southern part of the island, have long been urging for the construction of new educational infrastructure, as well as improvements and expansions in schools and institutes that have become too small. Consequently, the Ministry of Education summoned the mayors of the South to a meeting at the Hotel Escuela de Santa Cruz on January 15 to present its “shock plan.”
During the meeting, Councillor Poli Suárez disclosed that his department is considering reducing student-teacher ratios and localizing Vocational Training. Additionally, he reminded the councilors that several educational institutions are currently under construction, with some already years behind schedule, and assured that they are set to receive their first students next year according to the Ministry’s estimations.
Furthermore, Suárez highlighted plans to expand a dozen centres, including CEO Andrés Orozco in Arafo, Guajara in Fasnia, IES Magallanes and El Médano in Granadilla, IES Ichasagua and Los Cristianos in Arona, as well as Serafín Pardo in Santiago del Teide, among others. Moreover, municipal representatives emphasized the need for covered areas and increased greenery to create shaded spaces that can alleviate the effects of the sun and high temperatures.
In an effort to combat the heat, the Government of the Canary Islands is planning to equip seven centres with photovoltaic panels in Arona, Granadilla, Adeje, Santiago del Teide, and Güímar as per the Department of Education.
Hotspots of Concern
A document prepared by the Ministry has identified the “hotspots” of classroom overcrowding in the Archipelago. In the case of Tenerife, all 14 identified hotspots are located in the South, spanning across six municipalities.
Specifically, the stressed areas include the Arico coast, San Isidro, El Médano, and Los Abrigos in Granadilla, Las Zocas and Las Chafiras in San Miguel, Los Cristianos, Guaza-Parque La Reina, El Fraile-Las Galletas and Los Cristianos in Arona, Tijoco, Armeñime, and the town of Adeje within the municipality, as well as Playa de la Arena and Tamaimo in Santiago del Teide. The document outlines the requirements for facilities in all these locations.
Last week, the Arona City Council pressed for the creation of a Special Education Centre and an additional Vocational Training Centre in the near future, as expressed by Mayor Fátima Lemes, who is confident that both projects will progress during this term of office.
