Óscar Noda asks Education for "more attention" to the demands of the IES Yaiza and the CEIP Playa Blanca

The mayor of Yaiza, Óscar Noda, has reiterated to the directors of the IES Yaiza and the CEIP, Playa Blanca, Luz Marina Cabrera and Trinidad Pérez, the municipal will "to continue cooperating with personnel, works and other actions so that the return of our children and young people to the classrooms is as safe as possible".

"Although in the particular case of the IES we are not responsible for its cleaning and maintenance, we are willing to cooperate in some of the demands transferred by its board of directors. For several legislatures we have been warning Education of the urgency of executing a rehabilitation project in practically the entire building," said Noda, who visited both centers this Thursday together with the Councilor for Education of Yaiza, Silvia Santana.

         

This visit took place one day after the first mayor also reviewed the setting up and the measures adopted by the schools of Yaiza, Uga, Femés and Las Breñas for the start of classes

A "high student population" at IES Yaiza, which presents "shortcomings"

From the southern Consistory it is explained that IES Yaiza has 800 students enrolled, of which 500 will attend classes in the morning while 300 students, from the 4th year of ESO and 1st and 2nd year of Baccalaureate will do so in the afternoon. To comply with the ratio of students per classroom, he states that Education has had to install a new barracks in the IES with capacity to house two groups of between 12 and 15 students each. 

         

"IES Yaiza will start the course with 44 groups from 1st year of ESO to 2nd year of Baccalaureate, but the center has been split for several years due to the high student population, which has led it to have to use the assembly hall and other spaces as classrooms," says Óscar Noda.

Given the forecast for the afternoon session, the City Council states that "the building has shortcomings in outdoor lighting and common areas inside". It is also indicated that "the closure of the contingency plan against Covid is worrying pending confirmation of class schedules to determine the modus operandi of the staggered entry and exit of students". "We are willing to help with technical support and personnel from the Local Police and Civil Protection volunteers in coordinated action between the two bodies and the public schools in the municipality," adds the mayor.

The nursery, in reserve for the CEIP Playa Blanca

Regarding the CEIP Playa Blanca it is pointed out that "it will start the school year with 850 students, although it is feasible that it will reach 890, being one of the most populated in the Canary Islands with 25 Primary groups and 11 Infant groups". 

In this regard, the City Council is conditioning the facilities of the municipal nursery attached to the school "in case the number of enrollments increases and it is necessary to split groups". "What is confirmed is that the outdoor patio of the nursery will be used as one of the school's recreation areas, recreation spaces that will be divided to promote the social distancing recommended by the health authorities," the Consistory points out.

         

The CEIP Playa Blanca will double the number of entry and exit doors from three to six to also favor social distancing, launching a new call for maximum collaboration to mothers, fathers and families of students. 

On the other hand, the school reports 120 children enrolled in the school canteen in a space adapted to security measures. "I understand that it is not easy for families or for directors and teachers of schools in the Canary Islands due to the instructions that are dictated and the mandatory measures, but the schools of Yaiza have responsibly assumed the situation and now we hope that the contingency plans will be put into practice with the support of all," adds the mayor of Yaiza.