After meeting with the local educational community, the PSOE reaffirmed its strong commitment to public education and condemned the unilateral decisions made by the Consell regarding educational policies.
The proposal to convert a Secondary Education Institute (IES) in Orihuela into an exclusive Vocational Training (FP) centre without proper planning or consensus is yet another example of the fragmented policies and budget cuts implemented by President Carlos Mazón and Education Minister José Antonio Rovira.
Socialist Deputy José Luis Lorenz stated:
“In line with our commitment to public education, we advocate for the creation of three integrated vocational training centres in the Vega Baja region: one in Orihuela, another in Torrevieja, and a third in Guardamar del Segura, the latter currently stalled by the Generalitat.
We fully support the expansion of vocational training, but eliminating a secondary school in Orihuela to do so is unacceptable. This decision not only reduces educational opportunities but also leads to overcrowding in other schools, directly affecting the quality of education.”
Orihuela is a city with high educational demand and a growing student population. Lorenz emphasized:
“Closing a secondary school to transform it into a vocational training centre without providing a viable alternative harms the public education system. Therefore, we propose that while a new integrated vocational training centre is being built, the current IES should remain open, with a possible administrative separation between secondary education and vocational training until optimal conditions for the transition are met, as suggested by the affected community.”
The local educational community opposes this decision, arguing that the regional government has acted without dialogue or strategic planning.
“This is an improvised measure driven by a lack of investment and continued cuts to public education. We demand access to reports justifying this decision based on pedagogical criteria. If these are not provided, we will propose a Non-Legislative Proposal (PNL) to ensure that IES El Palmeral remains operational until the new vocational training centre is completed.”
Finally, José Luis Lorenz reiterated:
“We support an educational model where public and charter schools coexist, but under equal conditions and with adequate resources. We will continue fighting for quality public education with real investments and long-term planning, rather than short-term solutions that fail to address the root of the problems.”
PSOE Orihuela Councillor María García added:
“The closure of IES El Palmeral is not just a matter of relocation; it is an attack on educational quality. Overcrowded schools, students in temporary classrooms, and families left without answers. The regional government imposes decisions, the city council remains silent, and Orihuela loses out. We demand that the Orihuela City Council stand up for the rights and quality education of our students.”
