Edition 105
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Friday, February 22, 2013
NEW SETBACK FOR ‘HORRIFIC’ SCHOOL Valencia puts improvement plans on ice
Education chiefs in Valencia have frozen improvement plans for the rundown Príncipe School in Rojales for another month - claiming that there are insufficient funds available. A delegation comprising Rojales Mayor Antonio Pérez, headteacher Mauricio Pacheco, education councillor Tatiana Cañizares and AMPA president Soraya Fernández emphasised the desperate state of the antiquated school building at a meeting with regional education chief Rafael Carbonell in Valencia this week. The Mayor insisted that the school “is not just a priority, but an emergency”, submitting a package of complaints, demands for action and a selection of shocking photo-
By HEIDI WARDMAN graphs, depicting the extent of the problems and anger of parents. Pérez told the meeting that “at least 200 former students no longer attend the Rojales School, as they have transferred to private schools to escape the situation”. He went on to explain that several meetings had been held with the parents concerned, with most of them electing to remove their children, and enrol them in a school that offers adequate levels of security and confidence. Príncipe School was constructed over 40 years ago, and parents and teaching staff have reported several deficiencies over the years, with the problems now posing severe
threats to the health and safety of all attending. Rachel King, whose six-year old daughter Jasmine attends the school, described its present condition as “horrific”. She highlighted drastic problems such as the absence of a fire escape on the first floor, deteriorating lead piping throughout the school, inadequate electrical systems which mean that classrooms have to be heated by rotation, cracked and crumbling supporting beams, poor drainage which results in sewerage rising into the playground when it rains, and general dampness throughout. Although no solution was reached during the latest meeting, the Mayor felt that some headway had been made. “We will return to debate the problems in another month. It is only a small step, but still productive,” he said. “The Regional Director was honest and sincere in his address. I have faith that he is committed to reviewing the matter in a month’s time.” Nonetheless, the news is far from satisfactory for parents and students, who are left to endure the same hazardous conditions for at least another month. “It is difficult to have patience, and watch your child attending a school that is a potential death trap every day,’’ said Rachel. “However, we understand that we have no choice but to pursue matters through the
official channels”. She confirmed that the Mayor has offered immeasurable support to AMPA, the ParentTeachers group, who would not have been seen by the Education Director without his presence. “We are all fighting the same cause, and hope that a favourable outcome is given next month,” she concluded, adding: “If a concrete solution is not reached during next month’s meeting, AMPA will be forced to take stronger action."
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