News of the cessation of activities at the Las Folías nursery school has been met with dismay by families in the Zárate neighborhood. Eli, mother of one of the students, describes the situation as a “cold shower” that, if materialized, would drastically alter her personal and professional life, impacting family logistics and work-life balance.
“"For me, it would be logistical chaos, in terms of schedules, in terms of depending on others..."
The impact of the closure extends beyond a mere change of center. Eli fears that relocating her daughter would force her to adjust her work hours, potentially leading to reduced working hours and a consequent loss of income. Proposed alternatives, such as schools in La Fuente Luminosa or Tafira, are unfeasible due to access difficulties for her mother-in-law, who is the primary family support and cannot drive.
In addition to the logistical challenge, there is deep concern for the emotional well-being of the children. Eli emphasizes the importance of routine and the bond her daughter has developed with the center and its educators, noting that the initial adaptation was not easy. The school, with 50 years of history, is valued for its facilities, the quality of its staff, and its homemade food offerings.
The regional government's explanation, attributing the closure to low birth rates, is refuted by families. Eli asserts that the school does not have demand problems, recalling that her middle son could not enroll at the time due to lack of places. Tere Ramírez, secretary of the Zárate neighborhood association, corroborates this, pointing out that nearby municipal schools also have no vacancies, making Las Folías a crucial option for many families in the Cono Sur area.
The 0 to 3-year-old classrooms in schools, another solution proposed by the Canarian Government, are also considered unviable. Tere Ramírez states that the closest school in the neighborhood, Los Alisios, does not have such a classroom. Eli adds that the schedules and conditions are not comparable. Families also report difficulties in formalizing enrollments through the regional executive's website, where Las Folías does not appear as an option, interpreting this as a strategy to harm the nursery.
“"Because I believe it's not just a nursery; it's an essential pillar. I, who have sent one of my children there before, it's life, it's everything."
The neighborhood mobilization has been “very emotional,” with strong mutual support among families and workers. For residents, the school is a fundamental pillar of the neighborhood, a place where entire generations have grown up. The neighborhood association suspects that “other economic interests” are behind the decision and warns that they will not give up, being willing to take “any pressure measure” to prevent the closure of a center vital for 32 families and 14 educators.
