STE-IC, the union representing workers in the educational community, has raised concerns about the «lamentable» situation faced by Special Education Centers (CEE) in the Canary Islands due to a lack of resources. They are calling for «urgent measures» to address the specific characteristics of these centers and the «highly vulnerable» students they serve: «We demand an immediate and coordinated response from the Government of the Canary Islands and municipalities, through FECAM.»
In a statement, they highlight the «poor management» by the Ministry of Education and the «indifference» of some municipalities, resulting in a crisis due to the «lack of material and human resources». This issue has been confirmed through investigations by the union and the repeated complaints from families and staff at CEEs in the media.
They emphasize that these centers cater to students with serious health conditions that prevent them from following a regular learning process. Therefore, due to their unique nature, they urge the Ministry to prioritize addressing the problems affecting their educational communities spread across the Canary Islands.
The union has detailed the problems, including issues with infrastructure. They mention that renovation projects promised for some centers, like CEE Puerto del Rosario, have been «paralyzed for years with no progress in sight.»
Additionally, they point out widespread infrastructural deficiencies such as outdated facilities, like classrooms in barracks without WIFI at CEE Siete Palmas, or asbestos pipes at CEE Marente; cracked walls, non-operational fire systems, and entry doors without intercoms are present in almost all such centers in the Canary Islands.
They also criticize the «lack» of centers in densely populated areas, like the southern capital islands, where «a single center» serves five or six municipalities. And when new centers open, they claim, they do so with serious deficiencies, as seen in CEE Santa Lucía de Tirajana or CEE San Bartolomé de Tirajana.
«In non-capital islands, new centers are needed, as currently there is only one for the entire island, insufficient for the demand for this type of education,» they state.
In terms of human resources, in many cases, the number of enrolled students «far exceeds» the originally planned capacity. For example, CEE Nuestra Señora de los Volcanes has 87 students enrolled compared to the original 49 places, while CEE Siete Palmas, designed for 90 places, accommodates 124 students.
They also highlight the «unsustainable situations» faced by teachers due to a «shortage of assistants,» jeopardizing their physical integrity and mental health. They mention numerous cases of injuries and aggression towards teachers due to insufficient support in their roles.
They also note the «absence» of key professional profiles for these centers, such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and specialized assistants.
The union emphasizes the need to increase the budget allocated to these centers, as their needs vary based on their specific characteristics and services requiring specialized maintenance.
«We cannot allow neglect and lack of resources to continue endangering the quality of education, the integrity of teachers, and the well-being of especially vulnerable students. The current situation is not just an educational issue but also a social and human rights issue,» they declare.
