Mallorca school start hit by heat, leaks and staff gaps

At CEIP Es Putxet in Selva, Mallorca, pupils and teachers are due to begin the school year on Thursday in a new building with no climate-control system. Across all four Balearic Islands, schools face leaking roofs, deficient equipment and unfilled teaching posts, teachers’ union STEI says. The union says the heat in classrooms makes it impossible for staff and pupils to work.

Heat measures still pending

STEI says many schools have been waiting years for refurbishments or building work on their facilities. It has called for urgent action over classroom heat and poor thermal comfort.

At Es Putxet, the union also reports numerous shortcomings in the area of the former municipal library. It says work to tackle heat remains outstanding at IES Maria Àngels Cardona, CEIP Joan Benejam and the new CIFP Ciutadella. According to STEI, every school shares the concern over classroom temperatures.

Cover posts and school meals row

The union says there is a serious shortage of specialist staff to support pupils with additional needs, while some schools have large classes and a high proportion of pupils needing specific educational support. Menorca has one vacant post, STEI says, but 17 cover positions remained unfilled in the latest process.

STEI also reports a shortage of Catalan teachers on Eivissa and Formentera. It backs the Association of Nursery and Primary School Heads in Mallorca in calling for the school-meals decree to be withdrawn, saying it has created discontent, extra duties for management teams and possible unequal treatment between schools. The union wants talks on a workable, fair model with the necessary resources.

Topics: Jobs & labour · Education · Politics · Selva

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com