SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Feb. 15 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Minister of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity and Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, Poli Suárez, convened a meeting on Thursday with the Institutional Committee of the Canarian Federation of Municipalities (FECAM), overseen by María Concepción Brito. The purpose was to present propositions to municipal administrations concerning financing and infrastructure improvement of educational institutions across the islands.
Among the topics addressed was the necessity for the Canarian Municipal Financing Fund to once more include, as it did in the past, a percentage for municipalities to obligatory invest in the maintenance of these infrastructures. The current condition of these facilities is largely attributed to the lack of investment by the municipal councils.
Both the Government and FECAM emphasized the need to establish, in advance, the responsibilities of the different administrations (maintenance, renovation, expansion, etc.).
Additionally, the discussion touched upon the potential reinstatement of the previous model of subsidies/support for places in municipal nursery schools, with the establishment of perpetually valid guidelines reflected in an annual call by order, serving the interests of the council by maintaining FECAM as a collaborating entity.
Furthermore, it was agreed by both parties, through FECAM, to sign new agreements to truly address the needs of the municipalities and facilitate their access to educational and sports facilities during extracurricular hours. This move would benefit not only the students and their families but also the entire educational community and municipal groups.
OTHER DISCUSSION POINTS
In the wake of the incidents at the beginning of this term, the meeting, attended by the general directors of Infrastructure and Centers, Iván González and Carolina León, the president of the Education Commission and vice president of FECAM, Ana Dorta, as well as vice presidents Óscar Hernández, Raúl Afonso, and Rosa Chinea, emphasized the significance of ensuring the update of electrical installations. This would be achieved through collaborative efforts between Education and the municipal councils, facilitated by FECAM, as the periodic OCAs every five years fall under the responsibility of the municipalities and the General Directorate of Energy of the Government.
The necessary adaptation of the institutions to climate change was also addressed, looking into measures such as the installation of real-time atmospheric sensors to facilitate the implementation of future protocols, with ongoing contacts with the public company, Gesplan.
Addressing other initiatives, the Ministry advocated before FECAM for the installation of roofs and shaded areas where needed, as well as naturalizing spaces, not only through the municipal councils but also involving local authorities, and leveraging other entities or intern students if required. “The solution lies in preventing radiation from reaching surfaces,” affirmed the technicians.
Noteworthy is the commitment to renewable energies, including the installation of photovoltaic panels and the involvement/collaboration of energy communities.
Additionally, the meeting covered the prompt replacement of dining room staff, with the hiring of up to one hundred new workers this year; the removal of asbestos from institutions, the state of unitary schools, school transportation, addressing specific educational support needs (NEAE), and the insularization of the vocational training offer.
