PSOE in Torrevieja Denounces Closure of Two-Year-Old Classrooms at Colegio Inmaculada
- Bárbara Soler, PSOE spokesperson in Torrevieja, accuses the local PP of delaying the new Colegio Inmaculada construction for electoral reasons.
- Students began the school year in prefabricated classrooms; newly arriving children waited up to a month to be enrolled.
- Recently created classrooms for two‑year‑olds remain closed because the Conselleria has not authorized their opening.
- About 350 subsidized early‑childhood places in Torrevieja are deemed insufficient for a city of roughly 100,000 inhabitants without a municipal nursery.
- Soler argues that real measures to improve schooling and childcare would promote natality more effectively than a one‑time €450 baby subsidy.
Introduction
Bárbara Soler, secretary of the PSOE in Torrevieja and municipal spokesperson, has publicly criticized the Partido Popular’s handling of the new Colegio Inmaculada project and the region’s early‑childhood infrastructure. Soler says that administrative obstacles – allegedly placed by officials appointed by the local PP – deliberately delayed the start of construction so that works would not be visible before elections. The delays have left students in temporary prefabricated classrooms and left newly created classrooms for two‑year‑olds closed at the start of the school year.
What happened at colegio Inmaculada?
according to Soler, the new construction of Colegio Inmaculada was promoted by the regional government led by Ximo Puig, but the implementation stalled during administrative processing. Soler claims that a Director General appointed by the local PP “kept adding obstacles” with the goal of postponing the start of works until after elections. The alleged motive: prevent voters from having to travel to a different polling place, since the school is a strong electoral location for the PP.
- Students were assigned to prefabricated classrooms at the start of the academic year.
- Families of children enrolling later had to wait about a month longer before their children could begin school.
- Soler accused the PP of placing political interest above the educational needs of families: “All to avoid losing a vote.”
Two‑year‑old classrooms remain closed
Soler also denounced that the newly created “aulas de dos años” (two‑year‑old classrooms) have been closed since the start of the course because the Conselleria (regional education authority) has not authorized their opening. The closure forces many parents either to continue paying for private infant schools or nurseries, or to attempt difficult work‑life reconciliation without state help.
Why this matters
Early‑childhood places are a crucial support for families with young children. Soler highlighted the scarce provision in Torrevieja:
| Indicator | Figure / Situation |
|---|---|
| Subsidized infant school places | ~350 places |
| Population of Torrevieja (approx.) | 100,000 inhabitants |
| Municipal nursery | None |
| PP baby subsidy (previous measure) | €450 per child (one‑time) |
Soler argued that roughly 350 subsidized places are clearly insufficient for a city of Torrevieja’s size, especially with no municipal infant school – a resource that many smaller municipalities already provide.
PSOE’s demands and alternatives
The PSOE representative urged the opening of the closed classrooms for two‑year‑olds, hiring of the necessary staff, and allocation of material resources to ensure the centers can operate. Soler stressed two main points:
- Opening the two‑year‑old classrooms requires concrete commitments from the Conselleria to fund staff and materials – responsibilities she says the PP is reluctant to accept.
- Providing stable and accessible early‑childhood services is a more effective long‑term policy to support family life and encourage higher birth rates than short‑term cash subsidies.
Local impact on families
Parents in Torrevieja face limited options: pay for private childcare, search for scarce spots elsewhere, or suffer greater difficulties reconciling work and family life. This pressure particularly affects low‑ and middle‑income households where affordable public options are essential.
Responses and next steps
As of publication, the Partido Popular has not issued a public rebuttal in the referenced report. The PSOE calls for immediate administrative action by the Conselleria and accountability for any politically motivated administrative slowdowns. Local activists and parent groups may push for faster openings and clarity about staffing and certification deadlines.
what to watch
- Whether the Conselleria authorizes the opening of the two‑year‑old classrooms and sets dates for staff hiring.
- Any official statement from the Torrevieja PP or the regional education department responding to Soler’s accusations.
- Follow‑up reports on how many children remain without a place and whether temporary prefabricated classrooms are replaced.
Takeaway
The controversy around Colegio Inmaculada highlights tensions between political timing and public service delivery. For families in Torrevieja, the immediate need is clear: accessible early‑childhood education spaces and stable staffing so children can start school on time without forcing parents into extra costs or untenable work‑life compromises.
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