Malaga schoolchildren ‘too noisy’, says Junta

By Wendy Williams

PUPILS at a Malaga have been told to keep the noise down – by the strong arm of the law.

Disciplinary proceedings have been launched against Parque Clavero School after neighbours complained about the excessive noise coming from the dining hall and gym.

The Junta’s Department of Education has now claimed the school’s director is responsible for the noise of ‘shouting, voices and plates banging’ which it ruled ‘exceeds the noise level allowed during the daytime’.

Moreover it has threatened to fine the school, which 500 pupils aged between three and 12 attend, unless it finds a way to bring the noise levels down.

But director Reyes Duran insists the school has already adopted several measures to reduce the noise since the first complaint was made in 2010.

Some classes have been moved and the school spent €6,000 on lowering the ceilings and installing soundproofing on the walls.
“I’ve taken measures, but I can’t put stoppers in the children’s mouths,” she said.

Meanwhile Javier Saraiba who has lived with his family on the El Bosque urbanization since 1999 and often works night shifts, has defended the complaint and argues the neighbours are being unjustly branded as ‘monsters who want to eat children’.

“We are being made out as the bad guys,” he said.

“But the noise is excessive. At 7.30 in the morning the children are already there playing music in areas right next to people’s bedrooms.

“We are not against children, they are small and they make noise which is normal, and we are not against the school.

“We are just against the fact they don’t want to talk or find solutions.”

Duran denies the neighbours have asked to meet with her on the subject.