“The current situation is unsustainable,” a group of parents from CEIP Tomás Iriarte in Puerto de la Cruz state, concerning the excessive heat experienced by students in the school’s courtyard and the inadequate space for activities during rainy weather.
“This has been a long-standing demand, as we have been waiting for a solution from the city council for over two decades, which entails roofing the courtyard to shield the students from adverse weather conditions,” said Marta Carballo Hernández, a representative of the families.
This mother recalls that the project was initially proposed in the previous term by councillor Flora Perera, but it was rejected by the school board at that time because it involved installing pillars in the already confined courtyard, making physical education classes challenging.
Following the heatwave in October 2023, which led to class suspensions, and the predicted hot summer, the faculty reconsidered, approved the proposed project, and urged the city councillor for Sustainability, David Hernández, to expedite the process. They also met with the city council’s surveyor to discuss the project details. Both confirmed that the project is ready but awaiting funding.
In response to the issue, the councillor affirmed the Parents Association’s claims: “The project has been costed, and we are awaiting the approved funding to commence the construction as soon as possible.”
Exhausted by the lack of a permanent solution, the Parents Association started a petition drive at the school entrance and exit (as they did yesterday) urging the authorities to “unblock the situation” and prioritize the issue.
Petition Drive
This is not the first time signatures have been collected. The family representative mentioned that a former student’s mother who signed the petition informed her that her daughter is now at the institute and, during her time in Primary School at the same institution, a similar initiative was undertaken, “yet we are still in the same predicament.”
Next week, the final week of this term, they will continue their efforts to gather more support, hopeful that the roofing will be completed by then. Moreover, the estimated cost is around 90,000 euros, a sum deemed reasonable for the city’s funds.
“This issue is constantly raised in school board meetings, and as the Parents Association, we can no longer stay silent as the safety of our children is at stake,” they emphasised.
