The parents’ associations (AMPAs) of Manilva and Casares have issued a new call to all residents to gather tomorrow, Thursday 26 March, at 17:30 outside Manilva Town Hall, where there will be a public reading of a manifesto in support of building a new secondary school in the area.
The event, which was initially planned to take place at the Andalusian Parliament, has had to be moved following the early election call and the dissolution of the regional chamber, a situation which, according to the families, represents «another setback» to the progress that was being considered.
Unsustainable overcrowding at IES Las Viñas
All of the mobilisations and protests focus on the current situation at IES Las Viñas, which is currently operating at double its capacity. According to the figures provided by the AMPAs:
- The school has around 1,375 pupils even though it was designed for 700
- Classrooms are overcrowded
- There is a lack of maintenance
- Communal areas have been removed to make room for classes
- The educational community reports a progressive decline in the quality of education
The families say they have been calling for a new secondary school for more than eight years, during which time they have held meetings, submitted documentation and requested solutions, without obtaining any concrete progress from the Junta de Andalucía.
«They are not going to stop us»
Far from slowing down the mobilisations because of the start of a new election process in Andalusia, the change to the political calendar will not reduce the search for solutions, and they insist that they will continue protesting until they get answers.
«Manilva and Casares are rising up, and they are not going to stop us», they say in their statement, in which they condemn the institutional «abandonment» and the lack of commitment to public education in the area.
Next step: demonstration in Málaga
In addition to this Thursday’s event, the AMPAs have already announced a larger demonstration planned for 22 April, when they will protest in Málaga city, in front of the Education Delegation and the Provincial Council.
The aim will be to raise awareness across the province of a problem which, they say, directly affects the future of the educational community in Manilva and Casares.
Call to take part
The AMPAs are making a direct appeal to residents, families, pupils and community groups to attend tomorrow’s event and support a demand they consider «fair and urgent».
«The voice of families must be heard», they stress, insisting that unity among residents will be key to achieving real progress.
The event, this Thursday at 17:30 at Manilva Town Hall, is thus presented as a new meeting point for an educational community that says it is not prepared to give up.
