Representatives of the parents’ associations (AMPAS) of Manilva and Casares attended the Diputación de Málaga council meeting on Wednesday, where a motion on the construction of a new secondary school for the municipality was debated.
The proposal, presented by the Con Málaga group, was approved unanimously by all the parties with representation, without debate by any of the political groups, in a gesture the families regard as positive, as they now have institutional backing for a demand they consider urgent.
Attempt to speak and signing of commitments
The families followed the meeting from the public gallery and, after the motion was presented, tried to speak in order to explain their situation directly. However, the chair of the session did not allow it, pointing out that the public cannot take part in this type of meeting.
Despite this, the AMPAS went a step further and managed to get the Con Málaga deputy, Juan Márquez, and the PSOE deputy, Pepe Bernal, to rise from their seats and sign the commitment the associations are promoting.
By contrast, neither the Partido Popular nor VOX has signed the document or shown any interest for the time being.
No response from the Education Delegation
After their visit to the Diputación, the families travelled to the Education Delegation in Málaga intending to meet the provincial delegate, Miguel Ángel Briones.
The AMPAS went hoping to be seen, even though last week they received no reply to an online request for an appointment. In the end, it was not possible to hold the meeting on this occasion either.
Anger at the lack of attention
At the doors of the Delegation, both families and union representatives expressed their discontent, not only over the situation at IES Las Viñas, but also over what they see as a lack of commitment and attention on the part of those in public office.
The AMPAS insist that the school is in an «unsustainable» situation and are demanding an urgent response from the regional administration.
Thanks for the support received
The associations wished to publicly thank everyone for the support received during the day, highlighting the backing of the people of Manilva and Casares as a whole, as well as that of their institutional representatives, including the presence of the mayor of Manilva, Mario Jimenez, and the deputy mayor of Casares, Antonia Pineda, as well as the representatives of the various political parties who were present, with the exception of the Partido Popular, which, as we have learned, has appealed to higher bodies of the Electoral Board against the decision taken by the Zone Electoral Board, maintaining its complaint against Manilva Town Hall and against the mayor himself for the alleged use of public resources to support these demonstrations.
They also acknowledged the involvement of the union USTEA Málaga, as well as the collaboration of the Casares company Autocares Sierra Bermeja, which provided transport for the families to the provincial capital.
A mobilisation that continues
The AMPAS say they will press on with their demands until they secure concrete commitments for the construction of a new secondary school, insisting that it is an urgent need in order to guarantee a decent education in the municipality.
