Around thirty young people aged between 11 and 16 have been participating since June in the Summer School at CEIP Antonio Machado, a free initiative that combines leisure, culture, and family reconciliation.
CEIP Antonio Machado in Alcalá de Guadaíra hosts a school throughout the summer aimed at teenagers aged between 11 and 16, an unusual proposal that seeks to offer alternatives for leisure and coexistence while working on emotional management and educational support from a playful perspective. The initiative, free for families, is supported by the Alcalá de Guadaíra City Council, the Territorial Delegation for Social Inclusion, Youth, Families and Equality of the Junta de Andalucía, and the Albores Association.
This Wednesday, provincial delegate María Luisa Cava, along with municipal delegates for Social Services, Rocío Bastida, and Education, Pablo Chain, visited the participants and learned first-hand about the programme's development. The school is part of the ERACIS+ programme (Andalusian Regional Strategy for Cohesion and Social Inclusion), promoted by the City Council in the northern area of the municipality.
Rocío Bastida explained that the programme's main focus is the Local Social Intervention Plan of Alcalá and develops coordinated initiatives to improve the economic, labour, family, emotional, social, and educational lives of residents. Among them, she highlighted the Parents' School held during the school year and these summer activities that promote equal opportunities.
María Luisa Cava emphasised the uniqueness of this summer school, which does not focus on infants and primary school as is usual, but on teenagers. “They gain an educational and cultural resource, and support for families both in terms of reconciliation and food guarantee,” she noted. The service includes breakfast, lunch at the centre, and a picnic-style snack to take away.
For his part, Pablo Chain highlighted that the programme also works against school absenteeism. “We focus on positive aspects towards the academic sphere and personal development, easing the summer break and supporting young people in self-confidence, emotional management, and personal relationships,” he stated.
The Summer School, managed by the Albores Association, offers a wide range of activities: creativity workshops, equality, fun knowledge, treasure hunts, sports, music, healthy eating habits, as well as cultural outings and excursions. The initiative is well-received by both families and the teenagers themselves.
For the residents of Alcalá de Guadaíra, this school represents a key resource during the summer months, especially for those families that need to balance work and family life. The free nature of the programme and the food coverage ensure that no young person is left out due to economic reasons.
Previous years' experiences have shown that such programmes reduce school absenteeism and improve teenagers' self-esteem, according to municipal sources. Collaboration between administrations and the third sector allows the service to be maintained throughout the summer.
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