Lluís Serra, rector of ULPGC, and Francisco García, rector of ULL, have expressed their dissatisfaction with both the form and substance of the proposal. According to the universities' analysis, the projected funding for general expenses in 2027 amounts to 286.9 million euros, a figure reduced by conditional allocations that prevent addressing structural costs.
The two university institutions calculate they will need 290.4 million euros solely to cover the salary increases established by law in 2026, which have not yet been paid. Adding the salary increase planned for 2027, agreed upon at the state level, the deficit for that year rises to 15 million euros. The rectors warn that this situation condemns the universities to 'continue living on life support'.
This 15 million euro deficit for 2027 is in addition to the loss of spending capacity accumulated between 2022 and 2026, estimated at 25 million euros. "The proposal from the government not only prevents us from growing, but it doesn't even guarantee the maintenance of our ordinary activity," stated Serra and García. They also noted that the document includes penalties of up to 2.5% on basic funding, which they consider 'unprecedented'.
Both rectors recalled that the Organic Law on the Organisation of the University System (LOSU) sets the goal of reaching an investment of approximately 600 million euros in the Canary Islands' public universities by 2030 (1% of the autonomous community's GDP). However, the current proposal places them below 330 million euros, "significantly moving away from the objective set by the law" and falling short by 270 million euros.
They emphasized the importance of adequate funding for the Canary Islands' universities, given their "geographically remote and unique island environment." Without it, they warn, it will be impossible to introduce new degree programs, increase places in high-demand courses, promote equal opportunities, or renovate university infrastructure. "Without adequate and stable funding, not only the universities lose, but the Canary Islands lose," they concluded.
Currently, the Canary Islands' public universities receive 5% less regional funding per student than the Spanish average, although the Canary Islands community has higher per capita funding. The rectors demand the "urgent" resumption of negotiations in September to amend the document and fulfill President Fernando Clavijo's promise of public universities that meet societal expectations.
