Palma private nurseries face action over rule breaches

Private nurseries in the Balearic Islands could face formal action over breaches of the rules. Education minister Antoni Vera announced the move during a government scrutiny session in Palma, Mallorca, on 9 September. It follows reports of incidents by Xarxa 0-3, with workers said to have found irregularities in August.

Summer checks trigger row

Vera said the Education and Universities Ministry could not act over incidents during the summer because that period falls outside the agreed care hours. He said there was “no way” for the ministry to intervene then.

He added that there had been “certain incidents” in September where the Education Inspectorate could act, and had done so within the law.

Socialist politician Amanda Fernández accused Vera of lying. She said the rules on how many children may be in an escoleta classroom apply throughout the year, in summer as well as winter. Escoletes are local early-years centres.

Clash over public and funded private schools

Vera also defended public education alongside state-funded private schools, saying both should exist “with the same dignity”. He said investment in one did not rule out investment in the other.

Socialist Álex Pitaluga said plans to extend funding agreements with private schools to 10 years would weaken public education and expand the state-funded private sector.

Topics: Education · Culture · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com