The controversy began after statements by the Minister of Education, Science, and Universities, Mercedes Zarzalejo, in the Assembly of Madrid. The minister claimed to have received 'less than 1%' of the plan announced by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, for air conditioning educational centers, referring to the promise as a 'rain of millions'.
Zarzalejo defended the regional plan against classroom heat, allocated with 21 million euros, in addition to the recent announcement by President Isabel Díaz Ayuso of 1.240 million for air conditioning Madrid's schools.
However, MITECO contradicts these claims, explaining that since the last week of August, autonomous communities have had access to the 200 million euros from PREE Docente, a funding line for air conditioning schools. The Ministry has already transferred funds to the Canary Islands, Castilla-La Mancha, the Balearic Islands, and Navarra.
According to ministry sources, the Community of Madrid has not requested the 17.5 million euros allocated to it under this aid line, nor has it applied for funds from two other calls: Climate Shelters (10 million euros, deadline October 15) and City Renaturalization (9 million, deadline October 29). MITECO emphasizes that there are no obstacles preventing the Community from submitting its applications.
Based on this information, the Ministry considers Zarzalejo's statement about receiving 'less than 1%' unfounded, as the region has not requested the available funds and the other two aid lines are still open.
