- torrevieja City Council approved to take over remodeling works of IES Las lagunas under the Plan Edificant with a €9 million budget from the Conselleria de Educación.
- Opposition parties criticize delays,outdated budgets,and lack of guaranteed funding for the project.
- School population in Torrevieja has grown by over 50% in five years, increasing pressure on educational infrastructure.
- Temporary classrooms are used in several schools, with plans underway for new facilities including CEIP No. 16 expected in early 2026.
- City council also approved motions regarding desalination plants and eviction of illegal occupiers (okupas).
Torrevieja Takes Charge of €9 Million Renovation for IES Las lagunas Amidst Infrastructure Challenges
The lack of adequate educational infrastructure remains a pressing concern in the Vega Baja region, particularly in Torrevieja, where rising student numbers have not been matched by sufficient resources. Recently, the Torrevieja City Council approved assuming obligation for the comprehensive renovation of one of its largest secondary schools, IES Las Lagunas, under the regional Plan Edificant.
Plan Edificant Delegation Approved with Criticism
On tuesday,the city council voted in favor of accepting the delegation of competencies to execute the remodeling of IES Las Lagunas. The renovation carries an estimated cost of over €9 million, to be financed by the Conselleria de Educación. IES Las Lagunas is notable for its large student body and its operation in both morning and afternoon shifts to accommodate demand.
despite this approval, opposition parties voiced strong criticism. The political group Sueña Torrevieja labeled the project as “a deception” by the Generalitat Valenciana, pointing to over four years of bureaucratic delays, partial updates, and unfulfilled promises. Pablo Samper, its spokesperson, highlighted concerns about budgets that are calculated based on construction prices from 2022, making the actual cost of the works “absolutely unfeasible.”
Key Concerns from Opposition:
- Initial technical report in 2021 valued the project at €6.8 million but used outdated construction modules.
- Two economic updates since then never fully incorporated, despite rising construction costs.
- Delayed delegation resolution reached only in July 2025 after 26 months, still with outdated budget figures.
- 96% of the funding (about €8.7 million) depends on allocations for 2026 and 2027 budgets, with no firm guarantees.
Samper stated, “our students, teachers, and families deserve no more delays or excuses.Four years have already been lost.”
Socialist Party Also Points to Mismanagement
The PSOE echoes similar frustrations.Group spokesperson Bárbara Soler criticized both the local and regional Popular Party (PP) leadership for “ineptitude and neglect.” She cited errors in the processing of the delegated competencies and emphasized that updated economic modules were repeatedly ignored despite being public and accessible.
Soler also condemned the slow response from the mayor, Eduardo Dolón, who reportedly only requested updates in April 2024, a full year after the council’s initial approval. She suggested the Generalitat only expedited its approval after an incident where a student was injured by falling tiles in the school, calling the situation “a slapdash handling” by the government.
Growing Student population Triggers Urgency for Infrastructure
Torrevieja’s school population has surged by over 50% in the last five years, now totaling 14,488 students across all educational stages. To manage this growth, the city has resorted to temporary classrooms at several schools:
- CEIP No. 14 and No.15 – two primary schools still without official names after two years.
- IES 6 Eras de la Sal – a secondary school currently expanding with eight additional ESO classrooms and a likely new Bachillerato offering.
New school CEIP No. 16 is planned for inauguration by January 2026, using prefabricated double-story classrooms. construction is scheduled to begin in October 2025 on the site of the former Amanecer school premises in the Mar Azul area. This three-line school will include a cafeteria and full services, aiming to alleviate the city’s increasing educational demand.
| School | Type | Current status | Expected Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| IES Las Lagunas | Secondary | Under remodeling (post-2025) | Maximum capacity with morning & afternoon shifts |
| IES 6 Eras de la Sal | Secondary | Expanding with prefabricated classrooms | Increased ESO and possible Bachillerato |
| CEIP No. 14 & 15 | Primary | Temporary prefabricated classrooms | Currently intermittent capacity |
| CEIP No.16 (Coming) | Primary | To open January 2026 | Three lines, full service |
Additional City Council Decisions
Besides educational infrastructure, the Torrevieja City Council also rejected a motion to build a new desalination plant within its municipal boundaries – a proposal advanced by the PP. Conversely, a motion presented by Vox was approved to allow the city to directly act to evict illegal occupiers (“okupas”) from properties in Torrevieja.
Conclusion
While the acceptance of remodeling works for IES Las Lagunas marks a milestone, significant hurdles remain. outdated budgets and uncertain funding timelines create challenges that could further delay much-needed improvements for Torrevieja’s flourishing student population. The continued use of temporary classrooms across multiple schools signals the pressing demand for investments in education infrastructure. Local authorities and regional government will need to accelerate their efforts and ensure robust, realistic financial planning to support quality public education in this rapidly growing city.
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