The teaching staff of IES Las Espeñetas have voiced their unanimous opposition to the decision by the Ministry of Education and Orihuela City Council to convert IES El Palmeral into an Integrated Vocational Training Centre (CIFP). In an extraordinary session, the faculty agreed to submit a formal letter to the Ministry, highlighting their concerns over how this decision could negatively affect the organization and functioning of their institution.
The letter begins by emphasizing the limitations of the existing facilities at IES Las Espeñetas. The school already accommodates 18 groups of ESO and Bachillerato students, as well as four Vocational Training groups. Despite efforts to maximize space—such as converting the assembly hall into a regular classroom and reorganizing existing areas—teachers warn that the addition of more students could overwhelm the facilities and compromise the quality of education. They also point out the inadequacy of the staff room, which is already too small for the current number of teachers.
Infrastructure issues add to their concerns. The main building of IES Las Espeñetas suffers from serious structural problems and is partially shored up to prevent collapse. While a new building with five classrooms has been constructed under the Edificant Plan, the faculty warns that any further expansion would require temporary use of these classrooms, disrupting the current academic setup.
Another contentious point is the planned transfer of the Arts Baccalaureate students from IES El Palmeral to IES Las Espeñetas. Teachers argue that their facilities lack the specialized classrooms and equipment necessary for this program, making the move unfeasible. Additionally, the relocation of vocational training programs in Administration and Commerce from IES Las Espeñetas to the new CIFP has been met with resistance. The faculty stresses that these programs are deeply integrated into the school and are vital for the employability of young people in the neighbourhood.
Teachers further argue that IES Las Espeñetas serves as an educational cornerstone in the community, offering important training and employment opportunities. They fear that transferring programs could disrupt the social and economic fabric of the area and jeopardize international initiatives, such as ongoing Erasmus projects.
In their conclusion, the teaching staff calls on the Ministry of Education to address urgent priorities—such as expanding classrooms and repairing the building—before proceeding with any major changes to the allocation of students and programs. They deem the planned implementation of these changes for the next academic year premature and request a postponement until the necessary infrastructure improvements are completed and a thorough impact assessment is conducted.
Adding to the resistance, a platform of families and teachers opposed to the removal of ESO and Bachillerato from IES El Palmeral has been formed. Their first meeting is scheduled for this Thursday at 8:00 p.m. in the multipurpose room of IES Gabriel Miró. The platform aims to amplify the concerns of those affected and push for a reconsideration of the Ministry’s plans.
