The impressive career and numerous accolades firmly establish the 50-year legacy of academic brilliance at IES San Marcos, located in Icod de los Vinos. This institution stands out as the sole educational facility in the northwest region of Tenerife offering a diverse range of educational options, including Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO), three tracks of Baccalaureate studies – Science and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Fine Arts, which was added two years ago, and Vocational Training (FP) encompassing basic, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Established in 1974 as a vocational training hub for the entire region, the institution has adapted over time to incorporate ESO and Baccalaureate studies in response to evolving educational regulations.
With a current enrolment of 640 students (57% in FP) and a dedicated team of 88 teachers along with eleven administrative staff, Director Santiago Evangelista emphasises the pivotal role played by the administrative team in ensuring the smooth functioning of the institution.
Noteworthy achievements include being the first to introduce the Culinary Arts and Catering programme in the northern part of the island, leading to numerous awards and recognitions. The most recent accolade was secured by Haridian Dianay González Pérez, a first-year student in Baking, Pastry, and Confectionery, who clinched second place and a silver medal at the CanariasSkill2024, an Autonomous Vocational Training Competition held last month.
Previous successes include Gadim Gueye’s triumph in the III edition of the ‘The Best Sandwich in the World’ gastronomy competition, and emerging as the champion of young chefs in the Canary Islands during Gastrocanarias.
In 2023, Naim Thöni astounded judges by pouring the ‘perfect beer’ at the Eighth Gastronomic Fair of the Canary Islands, GastroCanarias 2023.
Further, the IES San Marcos has spearheaded innovative initiatives like gastronomy symposiums spanning 22 years, featuring industry professionals, setting a benchmark for other institutions offering similar courses.
Over the course of these 50 years, the institution has made significant strides in enhancing its educational offerings and quality, culminating in the prestigious ISO 9001 certification. The primary challenge, perhaps, lies in upgrading facilities to better accommodate the evolving curriculum, although this falls outside the purview of the management team.
One of the key objectives is to introduce dual vocational training, aimed at enhancing students’ professional skills by facilitating simultaneous learning at the institution and partnering companies from the outset. Consequently, there is a drive to expand this form of education, aligning with demands from local entrepreneurs.
Throughout the year, the educational community will commemorate this golden jubilee with a series of events. The festivities have already commenced, with a grand institutional celebration scheduled for June 7. Towards the latter half of the year, the institution plans to release a commemorative book featuring photographs capturing the essence of these 50 years, showcasing the thriving legacy of IES San Marcos.
