The Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity, and Sports Department of the Government of the Canary Islands, led by Poli Suárez, has announced an exciting development for the community of El Cotillo, located in the municipality of La Oliva, Fuerteventura. The planned construction of a new Center for Infant and Primary Education (CEIP) marks a significant step forward for local families and the educational community.
With a tender budget of €136,497 and a projected completion timeline of four months, the initiative aims to develop both the basic and execution projects for the new school. The finalized center will feature thirteen educational units—comprising one unit for the first cycle of Infant education, three for the second cycle, and nine for Primary education. Additionally, there will be a dedicated space catering to students with special educational needs (NEAE). The contract also includes a geotechnical study alongside a topographical survey of the site where the new building will be established.
Highlighting the importance of this project, Poli Suárez stated that this tender represents “a further commitment of the Department to the families and educational community of El Cotillo, who have been advocating for better facilities and adequate capacity to meet the area’s growing population.” His comments underline the department’s awareness of local needs and the desire to provide solutions through improved educational infrastructure.
“The new center,” he added, “will offer modern, accessible, and sustainable spaces with classrooms adapted to contemporary educational methodologies, creating a school environment reflective of the current needs of students in Fuerteventura.” This vision encapsulates a broader trend towards modernization in educational facilities throughout the region.
The CEIP of El Cotillo is part of the Strategic Plan for Educational Infrastructure 2024-2035, which has allocated a hefty budget of €235 million for a wide array of projects across the Canary Islands. In Fuerteventura alone, this plan outlines eight major initiatives, including the recently completed transformation of CEIP El Ciervo into the Integrated Center of Vocational Training (CIFP) Morro Jable. Other key projects include the expansions of CEIP Tarajalejo, Francisco Navarro Artiles, Gran Tarajal, and CIFP Majada Marcial.
These enhancements are essential for modernizing the educational network throughout Fuerteventura and addressing the increasing school population, especially in the island’s northern and southern regions. Over the past year, the Department has executed approximately thirty improvement and adaptation projects in schools across all six municipalities of Fuerteventura. Notably, these efforts have also initiated projects focusing on energy efficiency, the installation of photovoltaic panels, the creation of shaded areas, and the establishment of new specialized classrooms, referred to as Aulas Enclave.
The future CEIP of El Cotillo is poised to be part of a new generation of educational institutions planned by the Ministry of Education. These centers are designed with sustainability, accessibility, and climatic comfort in mind. The construction of this new school will phase out existing modular classrooms, providing the educational community with dedicated spaces that include shaded areas, libraries, specialized classrooms, a school garden, and sports facilities.
