Ana Barceló, the PSPV candidate running for mayor of Alicante, outlined a bold plan to extend the life of the city’s education centers beyond school hours. The goal is to turn schools into vibrant social hubs that energize neighborhoods. Barceló described a vision where collaboration among the education community is strengthened, participation is broadened, and learning communities thrive through cooperative, socio-educational environments that add real value to daily life.
One key initiative in this framework is the social-educational program to be shared with educators and families in the coming days. A day of dialogue and community engagement will be hosted at CEIP Rabassa, emphasizing that schools should stay open longer to enrich extracurricular activities. The purpose is to connect schools with neighborhood actors who can foster learning, participation, and peaceful coexistence in everyday settings.
Barceló also advocates extending learning opportunities to mornings and summer periods under a consistent approach, while supporting families as they balance work and care responsibilities. The plan includes expanding school offerings during holidays to reach students who face social challenges or have special needs. Additionally, it calls for policies that empower all students with equal, real access to high-quality education and to a broad range of social, cultural, and recreational activities.
The proposal calls for ongoing evaluation of each school to measure progress toward these objectives. The PSPV team explains that some centers may require additional personnel through new employment arrangements. In other cases, partnerships may be formed with individuals or organizations that operate in the space without seeking profit, while ensuring they meet legal obligations and carry appropriate liability and personnel insurance.
Related efforts include addressing obstacles to the Edificant Plan to align with Alicante’s evolving educational needs. Barceló underscored a commitment to adjusting the plan so that it better serves the city’s current and future requirements in education and student support.