Tuineje Demands Canary Islands Government Carry Out Essential Repairs at Gran Tarajal Primary School
The municipal government points to a lack of commitment from the regional Education Department toward the municipality’s schools.
The Tuineje City Council has voiced its concern over the apparent lack of commitment shown by the Canary Islands Government’s Education Department regarding its responsibilities for carrying out essential works in the municipality’s schools and school cafeterias.
Following a gas leak incident on Thursday, 8 January, in the cafeteria of the Gran Tarajal Primary School—which forced the evacuation of students—the local council’s governing team is demanding that the regional authority responsible for education bring the municipality’s schools up to date to prevent similar situations from recurring.
According to the town’s Education Councilor, David Herrera, the City Council’s powers are limited to the maintenance of the buildings that house the schools. However, the cafeteria service and its associated infrastructure fall under the jurisdiction of the Canary Islands Government’s Education Department, “the administration responsible for guaranteeing the proper use and operation of those facilities.”
“The gas leak is located in installations linked to the cafeteria, so the Education Department must also assume its repair and ensure the safety of those facilities,” Herrera emphasized.
Regarding the water tank, the councilor explained that his department has been working throughout the year to adapt the installation. Nevertheless, the Island Health Authority of Fuerteventura requires an automatic chlorine dispenser to be installed inside the water‑storage infrastructure. This is a new installation, not routine maintenance, and therefore must also be carried out by the regional Education Department.
Herrera also assured that the City Council is performing the maintenance tasks within its competence, aiming to bring the facilities back to acceptable conditions. This includes the inspection, renewal, and upkeep of fire‑protection systems. “It is an old school whose works, which are the responsibility of the Education Department, remain stalled, and no date has been set for their resumption,” the councilor lamented.
Mayor Candelaria Umpiérrez has joined her colleague’s statements, urging the competent Education Department to resume the pending works and complete a comprehensive renovation of the school. She stressed that the educational activities and the safety of students and staff must not be compromised under any circumstances.