Row between Government & Opposition on the state of the college building

The Government and the Opposition have continued the debate over the state of the Gibraltar College and where we are with the new one.

The Opposition says nothing in the Government’s response to its press release addresses its failure to manage the deteriorating condition of the present building while delays to the promised new College continue.

The Opposition says students, families and staff affected by the very poor state of the building are once again met with the Government's familiar and predictable response of shifting blame back to the GSD, despite the fact that the GSLP has now been in power for over 14 years.  it adds that approach no longer convinces anyone, particularly when clear commitments are simply not being met, and is dismissive of those directly affected.

The GSD questions how the new College can be “firmly on track” when it was promised in the 2019 GSLP/Liberal manifesto, and was set to open before September 2025 by the Cross of Sacrifice.

It was then moved to Europa with the opposition claiming the site remains largely empty. At this point, it says, claims of progress appear to exist only in statements and not on the ground, and no amount of co-ordinated spin can hide that reality.

However the Government says the ability to amend plans in order to make things better and happen quicker is something to be praised and not criticised, adding, the GSD is obsessed with criticising for the sake of it.

It reiterates work has been ongoing on the new College for many months with site investigations continuing and new methodologies now confirmed. Demolition preparation and ground works continue, delayed, it says, only because of the weather.

The Government adds the Design Team and College meet regularly for project updates, with the Minister for Education chairing stakeholder meetings at least once a month- the last one having taken place only last Friday.

It states the facts are clear that while the GSD issues statements, the GSLP Liberal Government continues to build the future, and no amount of negative chatter can take away the reality of this project.