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Education

111 local kids return to nurseries, new Sant Ferran facility opens doors

foto 2021 inici escoleta CThe Formentera Office of Education is pleased to report that, as early learning centres reopened across the island today, 111 one to three year olds —28 in Sant Ferran and 83 at Escoleta Sa Miranda in Sant Francesc— joined 23 teachers, instructional aides and administrators, together with kitchen and cleaning staff, in kicking off the 2021/22 school year.

New nursery in Sant Ferran
Opening its doors today, the new Sant Ferran escoleta boasts one classroom for one to two year olds and another for two to three year olds — a need that was previously met by Escoleta des Camí Vell, which opened provisionally pending construction of the new centre. The building contains six classrooms, with plans to employ the remaining four as needs grow.

The IBISEC-prepared project involved constructing the escoleta on a lot adjacent to Sant Ferran’s brand-new primary school, a building designed to accomodate 450 pupils and two groups per year (two year-one groups, two year-two groups, etc.) and contains 6 classrooms for pre-primary education (three to six year olds) and 12 rooms for primary education (six to twelve years olds). The centre sits on a 11,037 m2 plot on the outskirts of town.

Investment in the project totalled €1,118,000.

Culture chief Susana Labrador expressed satisfaction that the two “hotly anticipated” schools were opening doors at last. She insisted that school and nursery staff, personnel of the Formentera Office of Island Services and cleaning and kitchen workers had been key to getting the buildings up to snuff in time for September.

“We’ve opted to expand coverage to take in more children. The fact is, the zero-to-three stage of development demands quality facilities and instructors. With the opening of this new school and the creation of new teaching positions, we’re making progress on the framework document that local government adopted to support educational equity for zero to three year olds.

Hours, services and public health protocols
The schools operate from 7.30am to 2.30pm, a timetable which includes early drop-off at nurseries, classtime and lunch.

Entry and exit to the schools will be staggered and health and safety restrictions respected in full.

13 September 2021
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

Formentera School of Music and Dance to start 2021-22 with 200-plus students

The Formentera Office of Education is pleased to report that the Formentera School of Music and Dance (Escola de Música i Dansa de Formentera, EMDF) will start the school year 4 October with over 200 students enrolled, taking steps to ensure the smooth course of classes by enforcing Covid-19 constraints and preventive measures.

The 2021/22 school year will feature returning beginners’ workshops on music (for five and six year olds) and dance (for three to six year olds). The school’s officially accredited courses in music and dance filled up during June enrolment, so this September, exceptionally, no additional enrolment or wait-lists will be used.

“This year is especially exciting because it’s our chance to catch up with audiences and residents”, asserted Susana Labrador. Formentera’s education chief told islanders to watch for performances celebrating Santa Cecilia, Christmas and International Dance Day with the greatest possible normality.

Students, teachers and families will meet the new administrative team and instructors from 27 September, with the return to classrooms scheduled for 4 October.

8 September 2021
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

Three groups at Sa Miranda sent home as instructor tests positive

The Consell de Formentera reports that an instructor at Escoleta Sa Miranda has tested positive for Covid-19. In accordance with Educovid public health protocol, a group of newborns and two groups of 1 to 2 year olds will stay home from school starting today.

Affected families were contacted by phone and informed of the developments yesterday. Instructions on stay-at-home measures, protocol and tests will be passed on directly to families and staff by Educovid’s health services.

26 July 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

Formentera puts up €117K in student aid to offset insularity and Covid crisis fallout

The Formentera Department of Education is pleased to report that individuals enrolled in school off the island and those completing studies in higher education can now apply for financial aid. Applicants have till 8 September to send their requests to the Citizen Information Office [OAC] or the Virtual Citizen Information Office [OVAC]. Forms and details about the aid are available on the Consell de Formentera website, and specific inquiries can be directed here.

According to education chief Susana Labrador, Formentera’s government hopes to offset the drawbacks, once and twice compounded, which were endured by islanders who were studying off the island during the 2020-2021 school year. She also highlighted brand-new assistance for students who faced economic hardship as a result of the coronavirus crisis. All told, €80,000 will be available to the following individuals:

- Students enrolled in an academic programme on Eivissa or distance learning at a university
(maximum individual award: €150).
- Students enrolled in an academic programme outside the Pine Islands
(maximum individual award: €500).
- Students enrolled in in-person learning off the island and whose families faced economic hardship in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 crisis
(maximum individual award provided economic and academic conditions are met: €1,000).

Student aid for higher education
The island’s government also provides help for residents who were enrolled in a higher education programme during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. “Again, we’ve opened up emergency assistance for students left over a barrel by Covid-19”, said Labrador. She said the point of the aid was to offset the “double and triple insularity” faced by local participants in higher education, technical certification programmes, vocational training, post-secondary studies and art programmes which are not offered on Formentera. All told, €37,500 will be available in the following three categories:

1 – Higher ed programmes in 2019-2020 (ten €1,250 grants).
2 – Higher ed programmes in 2020-2021 (ten €1,250 grants).
3 – Emergency Covid-19 assistance in 2020-2021 (ten €1,250 grants).

Applications will be accepted at the OAC Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 2.00pm, and Thursdays between 4.0opm and 6.00pm. They may also be submitted electronically on the OVAC (located here).

The current aid package follows two other lines of assistance that were announced earlier in the month for students and schools. That assistance totalled €60,000 and went to support a recycled textbook and teaching material programme and an initiative to facilitate digitisation and computer purchases.

27 July 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

‘We’re artists’ theme as summer camp programme kicks off

foto 2021 escola estiuThe Formentera Department of Youth is pleased to report that the municipal summer camp programme got under way on Thursday 1 July with the theme “Som artistes” (We’re artists). Two hundred seven 3 to 12 year olds signed up to take part in Escola d’Estiu 2021, which will play out in the three schools of Sant Francesc, Sant Ferran and la Mola.

“It’s about offering alternative leisure and educational activities for the island’s school-age boys and girls, while helping households strike a work-life balance”, explained department chief Vanessa Parellada.

The councillor thanked local families for their trust in the service, not least considering that for the second year running, the summer programme will be held in line with health and safety protocol stemming from covid-19. Parellada also praised the team of two directors and twenty-two activity leaders “for their dedication to ensuring the school is adapted to kids’ needs”.

This year as last, tuition help exists for families affected by the coronavirus crisis. The Escola d’Estiu is weekdays 8.00am to 2.30pm and runs until 31 August. Activities and logistics will be adapted to health and safety protocol.

5 July 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

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