Canary Islands Government Cancels €10.6 Million Special Education Center in Tenerife

Educational planning in southern Tenerife has hit a major roadblock after the Canary Islands government scrapped plans for a new Special Education Center (CEE) in Parque La Reina. The decision leaves a €10.6 million investment—meant to address a long-standing shortage of places for students with special needs—in limbo.

The project, designed to provide 100 school places and 30 residential spots, was cancelled because the necessary municipal land was never officially handed over. This comes as a surprise, given that the Arona City Council voted in June 2024 to transfer an 11,757-square-meter plot for the center. While the council approved the move, the regional government claims the land transfer was never finalized, leading them to pull the plug on the initiative.

The news has sparked a political backlash. The local Socialist group (PSOE), which abstained from the June vote, is now demanding answers from Mayor Fátima Lemes. Spokesperson José Julián Mena has requested access to all official files and correspondence to understand why the transfer failed. The PSOE also noted that they had previously suggested alternative sites, such as the Tinguafaya-Chayofa area near the South Hospital, due to concerns about the suitability of the Parque La Reina location.

This situation highlights the ongoing struggle to provide public infrastructure in a region facing rapid population growth. While the Ministry of Education recently opened the IES Parque La Reina to replace temporary modular classrooms, the loss of this specialized center creates significant uncertainty. It remains unclear whether the regional government will find a new location for the project or if the much-needed facility will be delayed indefinitely, leaving local families without a solution.