The ongoing dispute between the ruling coalition of Granadilla de Abona, comprised of PSOE and PP, and the primary opposition party (CC) regarding the future of Vocational Training in the municipality is unfolding like a captivating drama. This saga continues to unveil new chapters that showcase the clash between the local government, led by socialist Jeniffer Miranda, and the nationalist faction, headed by José Domingo Regalado. The spark that ignited this conflict took place when the city council announced, on February 26th, its intention to allocate a portion of the Granadilla de Abona Business Centre (CEGA) building to the Ministry of Education in the Industrial Estate for the establishment of an Integrated Vocational Training Centre.
Yesterday, the Canarian Coalition denounced the mayor and her administration’s “rejection” to advocate for Vocational Training in the municipality, following their rejection of the nationalists’ proposal to support the Vocational Training at the Granadilla de Pay Secondary Education Institute and continue offering the existing courses without discontinuation. The CC spokesperson criticised the Socialist Party and the Popular Party for their refusal to halt the transfer of the Business Centre “until proper consultations and consensus are reached with the educational community.”
“It has been revealed that the Intermediate and Higher Level Vocational Training courses at the IES Granadilla Abona will be relocated to the Granadilla de Abona Industrial Estate and other yet-to-be-determined locations, resulting in a loss of 600 students from the centre. These students will have to commute to less accessible places without public transport and necessary services starting from the next academic year,” stated former mayor José Domingo Regalado, urging the local government to reconsider its stance to prevent a “historic blunder.”
RELOCATION
The mayor clarified last Tuesday that the city council’s proposal only involves moving the higher cycle of Renewable Energy, with the remaining courses currently offered by the IES Granadilla to be retained. Therefore, she dismissed claims suggesting the dismantling of Vocational Training at the centre as “completely untrue.” This argument was refuted by the CC spokesperson who contended, “Granadilla de Abona already provides a higher-level training course in Renewable Energy, hence there is no overcrowding nor benefit in encouraging students to pursue a course that already exists,” aligning with their perspective.
INADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE
Earlier this week, the ruling coalition highlighted the “inadequate” educational infrastructure in Granadilla de Abona, a municipality on Tenerife that, along with Arona, has witnessed substantial population growth in recent years on the island. This deficiency is one of the arguments put forth by PSOE and PP to transfer the municipal facility from the Industrial Park to the Government of the Canary Islands, with the objective of establishing an Integrated Vocational Training Centre that enhances the current range of courses to meet new job market demands.
According to Jeniffer Miranda, the economy of the Canary Islands and Tenerife must progress towards diversifying the production sector, making the creation of an Integrated Vocational Training Centre a “crucial component for all industries and sectors seeking to invest in a green, sustainable, and diversified economy, by bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical experience, thus fostering synergies between the two.”
