Joint Effort to Expand Overcrowded Secondary School

The mayor of Abrera, Jesús Naharro, led a working meeting on Friday, 17 July with officials from the Department of Education and Vocational Training of the Generalitat de Catalunya to advance plans for expanding the Institut Voltrera, addressing chronic overcrowding at the municipal secondary school. Representatives from the Abrera Town Council (Ajuntament d'Abrera) attended alongside senior figures from the regional government, including the Secretary General, Teresa Sambola, and the Director General of Public Centres, Montserrat Durán.

Eliminating Temporary Classrooms and Adding Capacity

Currently, the Institut Voltrera serves 705 students, with 279, nearly 40%, taught in prefabricated modular units due to space constraints. The expansion project aims to eliminate all temporary classrooms by adding 12 new permanent classrooms for ESO and baccalaureate programmes. The plan also includes dedicated facilities for a new Medium-Grade Vocational Training cycle, marking its first introduction at the institute. According to the announcement, the architectural design preserves the building’s stepped appearance while extending its volume through two new wings of differing lengths. One wing will be elevated to create a covered porch area, providing shade and shelter during rain without reducing the size of the existing courtyard.

This is an example of the indispensable collaboration between local administration and the Department of Education to carry out a necessary project that has long been a historic demand.

The education minister, Josep Bargalló, confirmed the expansion during a visit to the site, highlighting that the high level of investment required would not have been feasible without joint efforts from both the municipality and the Generalitat.

Funding and Long-Term Educational Planning

The expansion is included in the Generalitat’s current budget, reflecting a broader commitment to upgrade educational infrastructure across Catalonia. In early 2026, the regional government reported nearly 200 ongoing or planned works at educational facilities underway or starting soon. Mayor Naharro described the project as "very important for Abrera, historically demanded", and stressed mutual conviction between the town council and the department to improve facilities and broaden educational offerings.

Parents, students, and staff can monitor progress via the education programmes and projects page on the Abrera Town Council website.

Primary sources: govern.cat, documents.espai.educacio.gencat.cat, ${rpb.dspace.name}, System User. Reported by ajuntamentabrera.cat, Redacció / La Bústia, Ajuntament d'Abrera, Enric Soler, fmc.cat, ACN, lavanguardia.com, Helena Viñas.