Call for faster action on school displacement
ARA Igualada, a local citizens' movement, has urged the Department of Education and Igualada Town Council to act more swiftly in response to the ongoing displacement of students and staff from Escola Emili Vallès. The school was moved to the Teneria building in March 2026 after structural problems were detected in the original building’s roof slab, making continued use unsafe. Around 220 pupils and 20 teachers have been based at the temporary site ever since. Six months on, ARA Igualada says progress has been insufficient and warns that a full return to the original building may take another year or more due to the scale of repairs now required. What was initially expected to be a short-term relocation has now become an indefinite arrangement, with no firm date set for the school’s return.
The stay at La Teneria is expected to last approximately two years.
Temporary site lacks adequate outdoor space
The group highlights that the Teneria building, while approved by the Department of Education for temporary educational use, was not designed as a permanent school. A major concern is the lack of suitable outdoor areas for children, with current conditions falling short of what pupils need. ARA Igualada criticises both the Department of Education and the Town Council for failing to maintain clear and consistent communication with families and teaching staff. The group insists that, given the expected duration of the relocation, conditions must improve immediately to better serve the educational community.
Proposal to transform Plaça del Rei
As a practical solution, ARA Igualada proposes redeveloping Plaça del Rei, the roundabout directly in front of the Teneria building, into a pedestrian-friendly public space serving as an outdoor area for the school. The plan involves removing vehicle traffic from the area in front of the school while maintaining necessary road access, then converting it into a green, safe, and welcoming environment. The proposed redesign includes green zones, seating areas, urban furniture, and a children’s playground. Visualisations shared by the group show an open, accessible space that prioritises pedestrians and creates a safer, more pleasant setting for pupils and residents alike. The group argues that public resources should be focused on improving everyday life for citizens, especially in education and public space, rather than on temporary decorative elements such as flags and seasonal lighting recently installed in other parts of the town.
The situation caused by the Emili Vallès relocation is an opportunity to rethink this part of the city.
Cost of repairs rises significantly
The original repair estimate for the Emili Vallès building was around €300,000, with a planned return by late 2026. However, the Department of Education has since announced that the project will now cost approximately €2 million, as it requires a full structural overhaul of the roof. The work is scheduled to begin in the 2027–2028 school year, meaning pupils will remain at La Teneria for the foreseeable future. The Town Council is responsible for upgrading the school’s outdoor areas, including shade zones and climate-adapted spaces, while the Department of Education leads on the roof replacement. Officials have confirmed the new roof will meet current safety and insulation standards while preserving the school’s architectural style.
Next steps
Families and staff continue to call for greater transparency, a realistic timeline, and immediate improvements to conditions at the temporary site. ARA Igualada demands that authorities act quickly, listen to the school community, and prioritise long-term public benefit in their decision-making.
Primary sources: Departament d'Educació, Generalitat de Catalunya. Departament d'Educació, educacio.gencat.cat, repositori.educacio.gencat.cat. Reported by infoanoia.cat, anoiadiari.cat, laciutat.cat, igualadadigital.com, regio7.cat, veuanoia.cat, igualadanews.cat.
