The Formentera Office of Education is pleased to announce that the 2022-2023 school year began today in local escoletes (nurseries). In total, 34 zero- to three-year-olds began classes at the Sant Ferran location and another 84 at Sa Miranda. The Consell is pleased to announce a waiting list of zero as the school year got under way. Twenty-three professionals work in the nurseries, among them educators, support personnel and administrative staff. Also noteworthy is the work of the kitchen and cleaning staff.
Free tuition
Susana Labrador, councillor of education and culture, pointed out that this year, as a special measure, the annual €70 tuition fee would be waived for all students. Schooling from 8.30am to 12.30pm will also be free for year-three students. Fees for the early-bird school, canteen and break time will remain in place.
As Councillor Labrador explained, "we are working to help all families by amending the ordinance to reduce part of the fee for 8.30am-to-12.30pm classroom learning and for years one and two of early-childhood education". Application of the measure is pending the modification of the associated ordinance. Discounts and exemptions provided for in the escoletes ordinance will be maintained and, as with large families, single-parent families will now benefit from a 30% reduction.
Councillor Labrador underscored "the tremendous budgetary effort that offering this service requires", and asserted, "We have been committed to it from the beginning. This is a priority for families". Likewise, Formentera will continue to request greater financial support from the Balearic and central governments so that free education is extended to all levels of the first period of infant education.
Hours and services
The escoletes are open from 7.30am to 4.00pm. This schedule includes early-bird service, normal classroom learning, canteen and break time.
Maintenance work
During the first half of September, upkeep and upgrades were performed by subcontractors and the Consell de Formentera works brigade, part of the Formentera Office of Island Services.
Escoleta Sa Miranda:
At Sa Miranda, crews replaced grass in the main courtyard, cleaned, removed mould, repaired and painted interiors, carpentry and doors, and more. They also put in a bicycle parking area and new shelving, and cleaned and performed repairs in outdoor areas.
Escoleta Sant Ferran:
Awnings were installed in the outdoor patios and water fountains were put into in the courtyards. The team of educators prepared classrooms and other areas of the school for arriving students "in one of life's most important educational stages, the cornerstone of their future," said Labrador, who praised "the great work done by escoleta teams" and wished both workers and students "a pleasant year".
15 September 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera
