Canary Islands Youth Explore Justice System
The "Educating in Justice" program recently brought secondary school students from Arona to the local courthouse, where they observed trials and toured facilities to gain a practical understanding of the justice system.
The "Educating in Justice" program, run by the Canary Islands High Court and the regional education department, continues its mission to help young people understand the justice system. For example, last Thursday, March 5, nineteen secondary school students from Luis Diego Cuscoy Secondary School in Arona (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) spent a day at the local courthouse, known as the Palace of Justice.
This was the third time Luis Diego Cuscoy Secondary School has taken part in the program, which aims to teach students about the justice system. Accompanied by teachers José Lorenzo Chinea Cáceres and Gara Chinea García, the students watched several trials for minor offenses in Courtroom number four at the Arona Court of First Instance. Presiding Judge Nelson Díaz Frías welcomed them, helped them get into the courtroom, and answered their questions about how these types of cases work.
The visit also included a tour of various court departments. The students explored the detention cells and the lineup room at the Arona Palace of Justice, learning about the National Police's role in holding detainees. They also visited the court's Wedding Hall, looked at records from the Civil Registry office, and met with a forensic doctor, as well as members of the National Police and the Civil Guard. This helped them understand the many different jobs and roles involved in the justice system.
Taking part in programs like this is crucial for young people's civic education. It gives them a practical, firsthand look at how the institutions that uphold the rule of law actually work.