The start of the new school year in Orihuela and Torrevieja was marred by a significant shortage of school places. Over 900 local children were unable to begin or continue their education due to overcrowding in existing schools, and delays in the construction of new facilities.
In Orihuela the mayor, Pepe Vegara, chose to give the Orihuela Costa a ‘wide birth’ as the toured the municipality visiting classrooms where, according to educational sources, there were 200 children unable to start school because of the lack of space in the coast’s two schools, Los Dolses and Playas de Orihuela, which are both overflowing and cannot cope with the demand for places.
The situation was particularly dire in Torrevieja, where over 700 students were unable to enrol due to the lack of available places. The lack of staff, inadequate facilities, and reduced educational support further compounded the challenges faced by students and teachers in both municipalities.
The conditions are not helped in either of the two neighbouring municipalities by the fact that planned new school buildings are not yet ready. As such, the situation remains concerning. The shortage of school places raises significant concerns about the long-term impact on students’ education, mental health, and prospects.
It can also increase the risk of students dropping out of school later in their education, leading to further challenges and limitations. Students who are unable to start school on time may experience academic setbacks that can be difficult to overcome, potentially impacting their future academic success and career prospects.
In Orihuela Costa the new centre Number 20, which will be located on a plot of land in Calle Níspero, Los Dolses, and which was planned to open in September 2023, is still a long way from opening it’s doors, caused initially by the inability of the council to determine a site, and then to clear the chosen site that was being used as a municipal dump. We are now told that we will have to wait until January or February next year before it can finally open.
When it does so, the project envisages the implementation of a prefabricated school with a kindergarten and a primary school: two classrooms per level for about 300 students.
In Torrevieja the fact that the works at the CEIP Inmaculada began late has also caused difficulties at this school, so the prefabricated classrooms provisionally used by its students have not been freed, which, when finished, would allow many students without schooling to use them in the future.
Torrevieja’s socialists also denounced the effects of the cuts in education that have been evident at the beginning of this school year, both in the lack of staff, where there is a lack of support in caring for students with educational needs, counsellors, etc.), cuts in the number of hours available for action plans for improvement, which means the elimination of educational reinforcements for students who have a greater difficulty in learning and with a greater risk of dropping out of school, and an oversaturation of schools with student-to-classroom ratios above the rest of the community.
All these cuts result in a reduction in the quality of teaching, assuming a disadvantageous situation for Torrevieja students, compared to the rest of the community.
On a positive note, however, almost 30,000 students did return to school in Orihuela and Torrevieja
The councillor of Education, Vicente Pina, provided data on student enrolment in various educational stages, highlighting the shared responsibility of parents, teachers, and public administrations in ensuring quality education.
Provisional data for the 2024-2025 academic year on Orihuela:
– Kindergarten: 1,829 students.
– Primary: 4,012 students
– Secondary: 3.457 pupils/as
– Baccalaureate: 1,240 students
– Vocational Training: 1,560 students
Numbers up significantly in Torrevieja
In Torrevieja meanwhile, as the mayor, Eduardo Dolon, visited a number of local schools to he highlighted the implementation of free education from 0 to 3 years in the Valencian Community.
With over 15,000 students enrolled, Torrevieja has seen a significant increase in student numbers this year. The mayor also mentioned plans for a new IES 6 and ongoing assessments for the Virgen del Carmen school.
Data for the academic year in Torrevieja: 15,049 students:
– Infants: 2,087 students and 95 classes.
– Primary school students: 5,288 students and 208 classes.
– Secondary students: 3,878 students and 125 classes.
– Baccalaureate and Vocational Training: 1,982 students and 38 classes.
New school year at CEIP Antonio Sequeros De Benejúzar
The CEIP Antonio Sequeros de Benejúzar welcomed its students for the new school year, 470 in total where the occasion was celebrated with music and entertainment from the Musical Union of Benejúzar. The mayor of Benejúzar, Vicente Cases, and the Councillor for Education, Patricia Rodes, attended the first day of school to welcome the students.
The school has undergone several improvements, including the installation of air conditioners, replacement of blinds, resurfacing of the playground, and installation of awnings. Additionally, the school has opened new inclusive playgrounds, which offer a variety of play options for children. The mayor highlighted the substantial investment made in the school, which has improved both the educational environment and the facilities.
The school has also implemented a Morning Classroom service, which provides childcare for students aged 3 to 12 years from 7.30 to 9.00 hours. This service was introduced last year and has been most successful in helping working families.
