La vuelta al cole en Ceuta: “De material escolar, lo primero es el gas pimienta”

As school resumes in Ceuta, “the most important back-to-school item is pepper spray,” according to Vanesa Castro, a resident of the city. Before textbooks, notebooks, or backpacks, Castro has prioritized acquiring a self-defense tool. “Buying pepper spray was the first material purchase for my 14-year-old daughter’s return to school,” she explains.

The search proved challenging, as Ceuta stores are currently out of stock. She had to travel to Algeciras, a city on the Spanish peninsula, to procure the aerosol. The product's use is legally regulated in Spain and restricted to adults. Despite the inconvenience and stock shortages, Castro managed to secure one from a store owner who had started using it himself.

Her account highlights the apprehension many Ceutians face as they brace for a return to classrooms amidst a migration crisis that has dramatically altered their lives within just a month. “My daughter used to walk to school alone, a short distance from our home,” Castro says, residing in the Otero neighborhood. “That is no longer feasible, nor is it possible for her to dress the same way as before, as people stare at her in disdain. We are in a situation where we need to seek supplies from various locations.”