Socialist Spokesperson in Marbella, Isabel Pérez, Calls for Public Education Solutions
Isabel Pérez, the socialist spokesperson in Marbella, held a press conference this morning. She has proposed a motion to be discussed in the upcoming ordinary plenary session in May. The motion urges the City Council to demand solutions from the Andalusian Government for the “problems facing public education” in Marbella and San Pedro Alcántara.
City Council and Mayor Urged to Take Action
Pérez has asked the mayor not to ignore this situation. She believes that both the municipal institution and the person in charge, Mayor Ángeles Muñoz, “must get involved” in demanding improvements from the regional administration. These improvements are necessary within their competencies for the schools and institutes of the municipality.
Mayor Muñoz Criticized for Inaction
“Mrs. Muñoz cannot stand by while many families are suffering from difficulties in schooling their children,” Pérez pointed out. She has asked the mayor to publicly show her support for the claims being made by parents.
Public Education Dismantling Alleged
Pérez has denounced the “dismantling of public education by the PP (People’s Party)”, a situation she sees as similar to that of “public health”, within policies to “favor the private at the expense of what belongs to everyone”.
Specific Schools’ Issues Highlighted
She recalled the claims being made by the Parents’ Associations of the Mario Vargas Llosa and Rafael Fernández Mayoralas schools in Marbella. The Andalusian Government intends to “gradually eliminate half an educational center by now suppressing a line of preschool for three-year-olds”.
Parents’ Rights to Local Schooling Emphasized
“Parents have the right to school their children in a center close to their residence or work,” the PSOE councilor reminded. She added that the “Andalusian Government must ensure that this happens, although it is not doing so”.
Public Education Policies Criticized
For Isabel Pérez, the situation occurring in these centers only “responds to the PP’s policies of eliminating the public”. She pointed out that there are “enough students to keep both lines open”.
Further Issues in Local Schools Noted
She also noted that the Guadaiza Institute in San Pedro Alcántara “has been without a janitor or administrative staff for two years”. The requests from the management team, parents, and students “have not been heard by the Andalusian Government”. The IES Cilniana is not meeting the deadlines for its opening.
Motion Presented to Address Public Education Issues
The Socialist Municipal Group has presented this motion to the plenary session so that the City Council, since “the mayor does not do it on her own initiative”, asks the Andalusian Government to solve these specific problems and, in general, “all those that the schools and institutes” of the municipality have, which are the responsibility of the Andalusian Government.
Support for Parents’ Associations and Criticism of PP
The councilor expressed her support for the claims of the Parents’ Associations and again reminded the PP that “they will have us against them, we will not allow them to also dismantle public education as they are doing with health”.
