Classroom heat has become a central point of political debate in Getafe. The local PP spokesperson, Antonio José Mesa, has announced his commitment to equipping all public schools in the municipality with air conditioning if his party secures a majority in the local government. Mesa has criticized the current mayor, Sara Hernández, for what he deems insufficient investment during her eleven-year tenure.
The PP representative argued that there are no "valid excuses" for not addressing this issue, recalling that the City Council has direct responsibilities for the conservation, maintenance, and surveillance of public early childhood, primary, and special education centers. Therefore, he maintains that if the Consistory is responsible for other infrastructure such as roofs, windows, or boilers, it must also assume the responsibility of ensuring adequate thermal conditions against high temperatures.
“"Why can the mayor of Torrejón do it and the mayor of Getafe cannot?"
The PP estimates that the investment required to air-condition the classrooms of Getafe's public schools would amount to 8 million euros. According to the party, the City Council has sufficient budgetary margin to undertake this action, given that it manages an annual budget of 200 million euros.
Antonio José Mesa has drawn a parallel with the situation in Torrejón de Ardoz, where the mayor has announced an investment of 7 million euros for the air conditioning of its public educational centers. "Why can the mayor of Torrejón do it and the mayor of Getafe cannot?", the popular spokesperson reiterated.
The PP accuses Sara Hernández of attempting to shift this responsibility to the Community of Madrid, transforming, according to Mesa, "a municipal management problem into a permanent political battle against the regional government."
