The red alert for extreme high temperatures declared across Euskadi has prompted the Department of Education to advance the closing time of haurreskolak to 1:00 PM this morning. This decision, with little time for organization, has caught some parents by surprise outside the Santa María Orixe center in Donostia's Old Town.
For many parents, the sudden change has been a logistical challenge. Brenda, leaving with her child Uma, commented on the difficulty: "I had no problem coming because I'm unemployed, but I know other parents find it hard to come due to work; I don't know what they've done with such short notice…", she reflected.
According to a circular from the Haurreskolak Consortium, "given this critical situation, with the aim of safeguarding the health and safety of educational staff and especially the children, the Haurreskolak Consortium has decided to close the haurreskolak in all three provinces at 1:00 PM for the coming days." This measure will remain in effect until the Consortium communicates otherwise, with daily assessments of the situation.
Natalia and Markel, collecting their son Aimar in a stroller covered by a sunshade, admitted the change disrupted their plans. "Our plan has changed, yes. We usually pick him up at 3:30 PM, so we had to come earlier. I happened to have the day off today; otherwise… I don't know who would have come for him," Natalia explained. "We've been told this schedule will continue until Thursday, as long as the heat persists," Markel added.
Many other parents have had to ask grandparents for help. "We had to come urgently because the parents couldn't due to work," explained some grandparents. "Normally they finish at 3:00 PM, and we or the parents pick them up, but today there was no other option," they assured.
The measure, as communicated, will extend for the next few days until the red alert for extreme temperatures concludes.
