Adeje Parents Denounce 'Neglect' and 'Cage' Conditions for Disabled Children

Parents from the Flor del Inca Association are speaking out about the poor conditions at the Special Education Center (CEE) in Adeje. They say the facilities are "insufficient and undignified," and that their children with disabilities and special educational needs are facing "neglect, instability, and being overlooked." The association is demanding that the new center in Adeje be finished and opened, and that the promised center in Arona be built urgently. They also want proper student-teacher ratios, enough specialist staff, and healthcare resources that meet the students' needs.

The Adeje CEE serves a wide area, from Santiago del Teide to Granadilla. It's currently split into two locations: Los Cristianos and Guargacho (San Miguel). This setup makes it hard for staff, who have to travel between sites daily. Parents complain that "neither site has enough space for children to develop fully; they are overcrowded."

The Guargacho center, in particular, "is not suitable for education." It's a former cultural center that hasn't been properly adapted for students with special needs. Getting in and out of the center is also a problem, as the street has to be closed without police help, often leading to arguments between neighbors, teachers, and families.

Because of high student numbers, the Ministry of Education opened a second site inside the CEIP Los Cristianos school. This site uses prefabricated "sheet metal" buildings, which are "fenced off to separate students with disabilities and special needs" from other students.

Families call this fenced-off area "the cage," saying it "lacks privacy, peace, and security" for the children. Eva Bos, president of the parents' association, shared an example: "One of our children had a crisis at the center, and tourists outside started video recording him. This is unacceptable."

Overcrowding directly affects the quality of education. "The number of students per classroom is above the legal limit, and for children with behavioral disorders, it's three times the recommended number." The lack of space also means "children with different conditions and ages cannot safely interact." Guillermo added that in both locations, there isn't enough playground space, so children with various needs and ages "are forced to play separately on different sides of the playground."

The parents' association also points out that "we only have two specialists, who have to split their time between both sites. Healthcare resources are also inadequate; if a nurse is absent, there's no replacement." Additionally, the physiotherapist and occupational therapist must see all students, meaning they "cannot dedicate enough time to each child. We are simply asking for what is rightfully ours," said Bos.

The wide range of disabilities among students further highlights the ongoing overcrowding and lack of resources. Yanira, a mother, shared her experience: "Our son was left without support in a regular classroom, to the point where he couldn't attend school. He found peace and thrived again at the Special Education Center, but true inclusion shouldn't be a matter of luck. The government must provide resources, training, and commitment." Eva Bos, whose son was forced into the CEE and whose case is now in court, added, "Is my son poorly cared for? No, but it's not what I chose based on his rights." She expressed regret that "real inclusion fails due to a lack of political will" and called for "more resources for students with special needs" in dedicated classrooms within mainstream schools.

Families have been waiting 20 years for a properly adapted and suitable center. They've been promised up to four different plots of land over the years: the first two in Arona and San Miguel ended up being used for a high school and a primary school. A third plot in Adeje was promised in 2019, but nothing was built. Currently, there are ongoing promises of land and facilities in Adeje, a project that seems to have no end, and another plot in Parque La Reina. Parents say, "The promise is that the 'cage' in Los Cristianos will close once the new Adeje center is ready, but it's already a year behind schedule. As for Arona, we only know there's a promise, but what about the students who go to Guargacho?"

Parents are also demanding proper dining rooms and kitchens. Flor del Inca states, "Neither location has a suitable dining room or kitchen. Students are forced to eat in their classrooms, which goes against current health rules and standards."