Over the past few decades, educational facilities in Granadilla de Abona, like in other southern municipalities, have struggled due to insufficient infrastructure to accommodate a growing population. In an effort to address this issue, the Granadilla local government has opted to transfer a municipal facility to the Ministry of Education to establish an Integrated Vocational Training Centre, aiming to expand the range of vocational training courses available.
According to Mayor Jennifer Miranda, the Canary Islands and Tenerife economy must progress towards diversifying the production sector. The establishment of an Integrated Vocational Training Centre in the Granadilla Industrial Estate is seen as a crucial element for activities and sectors interested in promoting a green, sustainable, and diversified economy. This move will bring vocational training closer to workplaces, fostering synergies between the two.
Regarding IES Granadilla, the municipal councillor affirms that the city council’s proposal only involves relocating the Higher Cycle of Renewable Energy, while keeping the other current courses intact at the centre. Thus, the claims that the Vocational Training at IES Granadilla will be dismantled are “completely unfounded,” as confirmed to student representatives and management from different IES within the municipality who visited the facilities.
On the other hand, David Santos, the Councilor for Internal Affairs, Education, and Citizen Services, criticised the stance of the Canarian Coalition, a party that he accused of failing to take any action in the seven years of their government to establish a centre with similar characteristics in Granadilla.
DEBATE
The agreement between the Granadilla de Abona government and the Ministry of Education to convert a section of the business centre in the industrial estate into an Integrated Vocational Training Centre has sparked a heated debate between the local administration (PSOE-PP) and the CC opposition.
The nationalist spokesperson, José Domingo Regalado, labelled the agreement as a “historic mistake” and criticised the local government for proceeding “without consensus and without consulting the education community.” Additionally, he highlighted that “there is currently no public transport service linking the proposed building with the various educational establishments in the area.”
