A sudden deterioration in weather conditions in Andalusia has led to the closure of 32 educational institutions, posing a major challenge for parents, students, and teachers. The situation is particularly acute in Cádiz and Seville, where most schools have been forced to switch to online learning. Transport disruptions and the inability to safely access school buildings prompted these large-scale measures. For many families, this means not only a change in their daily routines, but also additional difficulties in organizing the learning process.
In Cádiz, schools have been completely shut down in the municipalities of Grazalema and Torre Alháquime, as well as in several other localities. In total, 15 educational institutions in this province did not open their doors. Cases of in-person class cancellations have also been reported in Seville, Granada, Málaga, and Jaén, affecting hundreds of students. Distance learning has been implemented in all affected centers to minimize disruption to the educational process.
At the same time, serious problems have arisen in the area of school transportation. In Andalusia, 85 school buses were unable to operate, 76 of them in Cádiz alone. Damaged roads, landslides, and flooding made travel along several routes impossible. In some areas, there is no access to schools at all; in others, partial restrictions remain, with certain routes closed indefinitely.
Closure Map
In Cádiz, in addition to two municipalities that are fully closed, classes have been canceled in schools in Jerez de la Frontera, Olvera, Prado del Rey, San Martín del Tesorillo, Ubrique, and Zahara de la Sierra. In Granada, the center in Venta Nueva is temporarily shut down, while in Jaén, the closures affect Linares and Coto Ríos. In Málaga and Sevilla, there have also been cases of class cancellations in specific schools.
In Sevilla, educational institutions have been affected in Algámitas, Benacazón, Dos Hermanas, Écija, El Castillo de las Guardas, and Villaverde del Río. In Málaga, schools in Cartajima and SEP Los Castañares are temporarily closed. In Jaén, some students have been transferred to other establishments to ensure the educational process continues.
Authorities emphasize that the decision to close is made solely for safety reasons. In some cases, buildings have suffered from severe weather, in others, access roads have been blocked. Wherever possible, remote learning has been set up so that children can stay on track with their studies.
Transport restrictions
Special attention is being paid to the transport situation. In Cádiz, where routes have suffered the most, many families have been cut off from schools. Other provinces—Granada, Jaén, Málaga, and Córdoba—have also reported disruptions, though on a smaller scale. Authorities are working to restore access, but no timeline has yet been announced.
In some cases, buses are unable to reach schools due to washed-out roads and landslides. In others, there are temporary restrictions related to clearing debris and eliminating the aftermath of the disaster. Parents and students are forced to quickly adjust their plans, while schools must adapt to new circumstances.
While the situation remains unstable, educational institutions and local authorities are maintaining contact with families, providing updates on any changes. Should weather conditions improve and infrastructure be restored, in-person classes will resume.
Response and consequences
Recalling recent events, it’s worth noting that similar disruptions to schools and transportation have already occurred in Andalusia. For example, RUSSPAIN.COM previously reported in detail on the mass evacuations and road closures caused by Storm Leonardo, when hundreds of routes were blocked and thousands of residents were forced to leave their homes. That article also noted that the effects of the natural disaster were felt across the country, and the cancellation of classes became a necessary measure to ensure safety. More about the scale of previous restrictions can be found in the related publication class cancellations.
In recent years, Andalusia has increasingly faced extreme weather events, resulting in temporary school closures and disruptions to transport services. Similar situations have occurred in other regions of Spain, where heavy rains, floods, or hurricanes have forced authorities to take emergency measures. In 2024, comparable problems arose in Galicia and Valencia, where dozens of schools were also closed and hundreds of bus routes canceled. Each time, such events pose a serious challenge for the education system and require rapid adaptation from all involved.
