For almost three years, Strabrecht College in Geldrop has had a brand new building, but no gymnasiums. They are still not built. “Too crazy for words”, says 19-year-old student Manolito Adang. He started a petition that has been signed more than 600 times.
“It is absurd and ridiculous that a secondary school does not have its own gym,” says Manolito. He wants the municipality to move forward with the construction. “I was so disturbed by that,” says the student, who has just obtained his pre-university education diploma. He saw plenty of building plans, but never a room.
“You just keep cycling. First to school, then to the gym and back again for the other lessons,” he says. The students are taught in three other rooms in Geldrop and Mierlo. “You can easily spend 25 minutes of gym class cycling there and back. That leaves only an hour for class. That’s a shame.”
Less attractive
Manolito thinks that new students are less likely to choose the school now. “Then they prefer, for example, the Carolus Borromeus College in Helmond. They do have a gymnasium at the school.”
The student receives many reactions to his digital signature campaign. “Teachers, parents and students have signed. I didn’t expect so many reactions. Everyone supports the students. It’s great that it’s now getting attention.” He has not yet heard anything from the municipality of Geldrop-Mierlo.
The school says in a response: “It is very special that a student starts this.” A spokesperson declined to comment further because this is a matter for the municipality.
Stuck for a long time
Manolito will be studying in Nijmegen next year. So he himself has no use for the new sports halls. So why does he commit? “I’ve been disturbed for so long, I still had to deal with it. I’m doing it for all the students who are still coming.”
The municipality of Geldrop-Mierlo says it understands the concerns of the petitioners. “We take this very seriously. We expect more clarity in September. Then the city council will make a decision on this.”
It was previously decided to refurbish other gymnasiums, but since 2022 there has been a request for new construction at the school.