The Ministry of Educational Development and Vocational Training, through the Andalusian Public Agency for Education, has put out to tender the purchase of specific materials for students with special educational needs. This initiative has a total budget of 1.5 million euros across Andalusia, of which over €82,202 will be allocated to the province of Almería, benefiting more than 1,000 students.
As reported by the acting minister, María del Carmen Castillo, the tender includes over 2,000 units of 77 different items. These materials are designed to assist students with mobility, hygiene, postural control, positioning, and communication. "Actions like this demonstrate once again that Special Education is a priority for the Junta de Andalucía, which is why we are continuously working to improve the support for these students," she stated.
Among the items to be acquired are walkers, standing frames, transfer hoists, and stretchers. Adaptable elements such as seating braces and transmitter-receiver systems for hearing aids will also be provided for students with hearing impairments. The deadline for submitting offers for this tender is next June 16th.
This year, the Ministry has already allocated nearly €150,000 across Andalusia for the purchase of 46 seating braces, 77 transmitters, and 63 receivers, which have already been distributed to educational centers. This investment is in addition to the new tender worth 1.5 million euros.
Since 2019, the Ministry has invested €7.8 million in materials for students with special educational needs, including both ICT and non-ICT assistive devices, such as desks, computers, and specific furniture for support classrooms and didactic tools. In the province of Almería, the total investment during this period exceeds €812,317.
