The Santa Ana Parents’ Association (AMPA) of IES Las Viñas secondary school in Manilva has sent an urgent request to the Education Delegation of the Junta de Andalucía (the Andalusian Regional Government) demanding immediate intervention in the serious situation facing the school. Recent rain and strong winds have caused significant structural damage, forcing pupils to be evacuated from several classrooms for safety reasons.
Leaks and damaged infrastructure
According to the letter submitted by the AMPA, the rainfall has caused significant water leaks inside the school, even breaking one of the building’s skylights. The damage particularly affects the prefabricated classrooms, where water comes directly into the classes, preventing lessons from running normally. The AMPA has attached audiovisual material documenting the seriousness of the damage.
«Unacceptable» conditions for education
The Santa Ana AMPA describes it as «absolutely unacceptable» that students have to leave their classrooms and have their education interrupted because of structural deficiencies that, they say, «should have been resolved a long time ago». In its statement, the families claim that the school does not meet «the minimum conditions of safety, health and dignity», and compare the situation to being «out in the open».
Chronic overcrowding aggravating the problem
This structural crisis adds to an already known problem at IES Las Viñas: the overcrowding the school has suffered for some time. The families consider that the combination of both factors has created «unsustainable educational conditions» that require an immediate response from the regional administration.
Request for immediate intervention
The Santa Ana AMPA urgently requests «immediate intervention to repair the existing structural damage and to adopt the necessary measures to guarantee safe and suitable conditions for the whole educational community». In its letter, the families warn that «the situation cannot be delayed any further» and expect «a swift response and effective solutions» from the Education Delegation.
The Town Hall calls for the Junta to intervene
For Manilva Town Hall, this situation is now frustrating, as Laura Salazar, Education councillor, told this newsroom. Yesterday a letter was also sent to Mr Miguel Briones Artacho, Territorial Delegate for Educational Development and Vocational Training, to insist, once again, on the situation at IES Las Viñas.
Responsibility for maintaining schools
In Spain, responsibility for maintaining secondary schools lies with the Junta de Andalucía (the regional government), unlike nursery and primary schools, whose maintenance is a municipal responsibility.
Division of responsibilities by educational level
The regulations establish a clear distinction by educational level:
- Early Years Education (second cycle), Primary and Special Education: The upkeep, maintenance and security of these schools is the responsibility of town halls
- Secondary Education (IES) and other regional schools: Responsibility lies with the relevant regional government, in this case the Junta de Andalucía
Legal framework in Andalusia
Article 9.20 c) of Law 5/2010 on Local Autonomy of Andalusia establishes that municipal responsibility is limited exclusively to buildings used for the second cycle of Early Years Education, Primary Education and Special Education. This regulation is complemented by Law 7/1999 on the Assets of Local Authorities of Andalusia and Decree 18/2006, which stress municipal ownership and obligations only for these educational levels.
Regional management of secondary schools
The Junta de Andalucía, through the Andalusian Public Education Agency, is responsible for planning and carrying out investment plans in non-university educational infrastructure under regional responsibility, including the management and contracting of projects and works for the construction, improvement, transformation and adaptation of schools. This includes secondary schools, integrated vocational training centres and other secondary education centres.
Despite this, Manilva Town Hall has carried out various maintenance works over time to try to improve and repair many deficiencies, given the passivity of the Junta de Andalucía in maintaining the school.
