Workers' Commissions has denounced the "shameful attitude" of the President of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, after saying in the Canarian Parliament this Tuesday that he "does not consider the educational future of our land a priority." According to the union, "to affirm that allocating only 5% of GDP to Education is only a recommendation and not an obligation demonstrates an absolute lack of understanding and commitment to public education and the development of the Islands."
The union has responded in this way to Clavijo's statements, who stated in Parliament that "allocating 5% of the Gross Domestic Product to Education is a non-binding recommendation." CCOO has indicated that "with these statements," the Canarian president "shows a lack of commitment, seriousness and professionalism with the Education of the Islands, a matter that CCOO considers inadmissible."
The union has highlighted that "this non-compliance with the Canarian Education Law" is not an optional or interpretative issue: it is a legal and moral obligation. From CCOO we have been publicly denouncing for years that the Government of the Canary Islands fails to comply with the law, which establishes that the investment must be at least 5% of GDP in Education. However, they continue to not assume their responsibility, perpetuating an educational system with high ratios, precariousness in the teaching staff, underfunded centers and an evident lack of resources."
CCOO: "We will not allow the future of education to be played with"
In response to Luis Campos (NC), who criticized the budgetary non-compliance of the Canarian Education Law, Clavijo responded verbatim with the following words: "You failed to comply with the law because you never reached 5% because evidently, apart from the fact that it is a recommendation that is not binding and obligatory, the reality is that, to the extent that the economy goes well, it will be more difficult." The union has responded: "Does this mean, then, that for the president of the Canarian Government the laws are only recommendations? That if the economy goes well, 5% of GDP will never be reached in Education? Paradoxically, his approach is that, by considerably increasing resources, it would be more difficult to increase the percentage, when what is clear is that what decreases is his interest in education."
CCOO has demanded that the Government of the Canary Islands "put aside political adventures and tricks and comply with the law, guaranteeing the necessary investment to offer our future generations a dignified and quality Education. Empty speeches are intolerable while the real needs of the centers, teachers and families are neglected."
Likewise, the union has highlighted that "Education is not a whim, but the basis of a just, democratic, egalitarian society with opportunities for everyone." Thus, it has indicated that CCOO will continue fighting and denouncing "this lack of commitment from the political class to education." "Education should not continue to be considered a political toy or a weapon to be thrown between parties: the Law must be complied with since education is not an expense but an investment," he continued. "We will not allow the rights of students, families and educational personnel in the Canary Islands to continue to be violated," he indicated in a statement.
Finally, Workers' Commissions has demanded "the recovery of the debt accumulated by the non-compliance with the Canarian Education Law in its period of progressive application from 2014 to 2022, and the amounts corresponding to 5% of GDP for Education from that year. It is urgent, necessary and fair!"