La Xara to finally wave goodbye to portokabins

By Samantha Kett

LA XARA'S new school could be under way by early 2017 if the authorities get their

. skates on, putting an end to the sea of portokabins that pupils have been stuck in for decades.

Parish leader Maite Pérez Conejero says the land is already there and waiting for the workmen to move in, but they still need a report from the water supply and rivers authority, the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ).

This is to confirm the school would have a sufficient on-tap supply and proper mains drainage at no detriment to the environment, that it is not on a flood plain and the soil is not contaminated.

Although this is par for the course with any new development, the CHJ is ' asking for mountains of paperwork', says Sra Pérez Conejero, turning it into a slow-moving, bureau- cratic nightmare.

But she is confident the report will give the school site the thumbs-up.

The next step will be to formally sign the plot over to regional education authorities, who will assign a builder and get started.

Pupils, parents and teachers in La Xara have been clamouring for a new school building since 2005, since the old one has poor facilities and is not big enough.

Most have to take classes in prefabricated huts which are baking hot in summer, freezing in winter and echo constantly, causing headaches.

They also flood in autumn and winter, often forcing children to miss several days of school.

The new centre will have a dining hall, computer room and capacity for up to 225 pupils.