A sharp deterioration in weather conditions in the Canary Islands has prompted local authorities to take emergency measures to minimize risks for students and staff of educational institutions. The decision to temporarily close schools and switch to remote learning came as a surprise for many families, but was made to ensure safety in the face of an approaching storm. Similar measures have been extremely rare in recent years, highlighting the seriousness of the current situation.
According to an official statement from the Consejería de Educación, all educational institutions on the islands of Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Graciosa will be closed to the public on March 19. On that day, classes will be held exclusively online. For Gran Canaria, restrictions will be in place from the afternoon and remain until the evening. The following day, March 20, remote learning will be compulsory for all schools in the archipelago without exception. This applies not only to students, but also to administrative, technical, and support staff.
Causes and consequences
The strict measures were introduced due to adverse weather phenomena, including storm winds and dangerous sea waves that may pose a threat to life and health. According to Consejería de Educación, the decision is in line with recommendations from the Dirección General de Emergencias y Protección Civil in order to minimize any risks associated with travel across the islands during this period of bad weather. Authorities emphasize that the safety of everyone involved in the educational process remains their top priority.
The shift to remote learning requires schools and parents to quickly adapt to new circumstances. Many families have had to urgently set up workspaces for children at home, and teachers have had to modify their lesson plans. Despite the challenges, similar measures have been used in the past, such as during the pandemic, which has provided valuable experience and helped prepare for situations like this.
Recommendations and Information
Authorities strongly recommend that residents follow the official Consejería de Educación and Gobierno de Canarias channels for up-to-date information. If weather conditions change or new threats arise, additional instructions will be issued promptly. Special attention is being paid to keeping parents and school staff informed to avoid misunderstandings and to ensure the smooth functioning of the education system during this emergency.
To support remote learning, the Consejería de Educación has prepared special guidelines to help organize the educational process at home. These recommendations include tips for using digital platforms, maintaining discipline, and fostering effective communication between teachers and students. This approach helps minimize quality loss in education even under temporary restrictions.
Context and lessons from previous years
In recent years, the Canary Islands have already faced the need for temporary school closures due to natural disasters. For example, in 2022, several municipalities switched to remote learning because of heavy rains and flooding. Similar measures were taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the entire region had to restructure its educational system. These events demonstrated that the education system can quickly respond to challenges and ensure continuity of learning even in difficult circumstances.
According to data from the Consejería de Educación, most parents and teachers support these decisions, considering them necessary to protect health and safety. At the same time, each of these situations is a test for the infrastructure and requires all participants in the process to be as flexible as possible. The experience of previous years helps to adapt more quickly to new realities and minimize negative consequences for the region’s educational system.
