Administrative Error Leaves 44 Puerto de la Cruz Students Without Free School Meals
An administrative error by the Puerto de la Cruz City Council has left 44 students at CEIP Juan Cruz Ruiz without free school meals, forcing families to cover costs until January.
Social services in Puerto de la Cruz are under fire after an administrative error left 44 students at CEIP Juan Cruz Ruiz without free school meals. The local Socialist municipal group reports that the City Council failed to submit required technical documents, disqualifying eligible families from the "zero quota" program for the current school year.
This delay forces affected families to pay 110 euros per student each month until the next application window opens on January 15. The school administration has distanced itself from the issue, stating they met all deadlines and followed the Department of Education’s procedures. This confirms the problem lies solely with the City Council’s processing delays—a risk Socialist spokesperson Marco González had warned about during a plenary session last September.
The incident highlights ongoing issues within the Social Work Unit (UTS) of La Vera. The office, which is outsourced, is only open three days a week due to staff shortages—a problem the local PSOE has been highlighting for over a year. This lack of planning has not only cost families essential support but has also triggered a political dispute over the management of public resources and the protection of vulnerable residents.
Tensions are rising as the government and the opposition trade blame. While the Socialists are calling for accountability for what they label "serious negligence," they have criticized the local government for trying to shift the blame onto the school’s staff. The Socialist group now plans to escalate the matter to higher authorities to investigate the failure and ensure that families in need receive the support they are entitled to.