Por Redaccion 
The Government Council of the Principality of Asturias has authorized the creation of the Margarita Salas Secondary Education Institute (IES), located in the La Corredoria neighborhood of Oviedo. The center will open in September with the four courses of Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO) and the two of Baccalaureate, incorporating the HabLE+ foreign language teaching program.
The spokesperson, Guillermo Peláez, explained in a press conference that this is «the largest educational investment to date made in Asturias.» This «record,» he said, was surpassed last week with the tender for the Montecerrao Special Education School, with 21.6 million. «I believe this demonstrates the commitment of this Government to strengthen the welfare state in such a sensitive area as public education,» he said.
In an «exceptional» move, Education has decided to start with all educational stages instead of introducing them gradually, due to the «existing space difficulties» in the current neighborhood institute. The center will have 22 units –16 for Secondary Education and 6 for Baccalaureate–, although the forecast is to open with 4 for Baccalaureate.
The IES Margarita Salas will be the reference center for students attending the public schools La Corredoria, Poeta Ángel González, and Carmen Ruiz Tilve. 1st year ESO students will enter through the regular admission process, while students from other courses can choose between the two neighborhood institutes. Subsequently, if there are imbalances between demand and the availability of places, a draw will be held course by course to fill the units available in each institute. In the first year of activity, up to 520 students can enroll in the center.
The new educational equipment was awarded for 17.28 million and is financed with resources from the European Regional Development Fund (Feder). The works are almost 95% complete. At the same time, the council is finalizing contracts to acquire general furniture and equip the auditorium and laboratories. The expected investment will exceed 565,000 euros.
SUPPORT FOR HIGH-LEVEL SPORTS
On the other hand, the Principality has authorized an expenditure of one million for the call for grants for sports clubs participating in high-level competitions in the 2024-2025 season. As a novelty, for the first time, adapted swimming and bowling are included among the disciplines that can receive funding. The budget for this aid line remains stable, after being increased by 550,000 euros last year compared to 2023 to fulfill the commitment made by the Principality to sports entities.
The grants are aimed at clubs in athletics, badminton, basketball, wheelchair basketball, handball, baseball/softball, bowling, American football, futsal, gymnastics (artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics), adapted swimming, skating (roller hockey and speed skating), canoeing, rugby, table tennis, triathlon (triathlon and duathlon), and volleyball. Last year, 54 clubs received financial support to promote sports practice.
The Government Council’s decision adds to another adopted in the sports field on March 20: the approval of a budget of 1,045,738 euros for the call for aid to federations, representing a 48% increase over last year.