Eleven modular classrooms remain in use at six Fuerteventura schools
El Cotillo has five of the island’s 11 modular classrooms, as a teachers’ union calls for a timetable to replace temporary facilities.
Fuerteventura still has 11 modular classrooms in use across six schools, according to the Canary Islands government, despite years of plans to replace temporary facilities with permanent buildings.
Five are at CEIP El Tostón in El Cotillo. The others are at CEIP Francisca Pérez in Triquivijate, CEIP Tarajalejo, CEO Antigua and IES Corralejo, which have one each, and IES La Oliva, which has two. The government’s total follows the removal of three classrooms from CEIP Morro Jable.
Modular classrooms were introduced on the island more than 20 years ago in response to a sharp increase in pupil numbers. Nine of the 11 currently in use are rented; the exceptions are those at CEO Antigua and CEIP Francisca Pérez.
Pressure on school buildings
The Canary Islands’ 2024–2035 educational infrastructure plan recognises that population growth, particularly in urban and tourist areas, has placed considerable pressure on Fuerteventura’s school buildings. It says a shortage of schools is making it difficult to provide access to compulsory education in optimal conditions.
The plan includes the gradual replacement and removal of modular classrooms, alongside proposals for new schools and extensions to existing ones. An earlier infrastructure plan for 2018–2025 envisaged 11 new schools and extensions to a further 11 on the island. By its end, three new schools had opened: in Morro Jable, Villaverde and El Castillo.
Socialist parliamentarian Manuel Hernández Cerezo attributed the continuing use of modular classrooms to a lack of commitment by the regional education department. He argued that new buildings are essential to ending reliance on what was intended as a temporary solution, and said rental costs continue while a permanent alternative is lacking.
UGT-Docentes representative Rubén Reyes called for a clear timetable to replace temporary facilities. He said some modular classrooms can present difficulties when temperatures are high, ventilation is inadequate or supporting facilities are missing. UGT also says the administration must ensure safe and healthy working conditions for staff.
El Cotillo’s wait for a new school
At CEIP El Tostón, two of the five rented modular classrooms have been in place since 2021 and three since 2024. Rosi Rodríguez, president of the local parents’ association, said modular units had previously been removed during work to build two classrooms but were put back after the contractor abandoned the project.
The education department has awarded a contract to prepare the design for a new school in El Cotillo. Rodríguez said she believes removal of the modular classrooms depends on the new school being built.
She also noted a contrast in conditions: the modular classrooms have air conditioning, while the electrical installation in the school’s other classrooms may not support it. Hernández Cerezo said the modular facilities are generally fit for teaching, but argued that they do not provide the integration expected within a school.