Education Minister under fire shoots back

Minister of Education, Lucy Molinar, who as a TV broadcaster was an outspoken critic of the government and those in authority, is now beginning to appreciate what it’s like to be on the receiving end.

Under attack for her proposed educational reforms she said yesterday that she will not halt the proposed curriculum change in spite of pressures from teachers in the Association of Professors of the Republic of Panama and three other partner organizations.

"we’re starting 30 years late," Molinar said before making a presentation to members of the Rotary Club.

On the notice of work stoppage on Monday, April 12 at 13 schools, she said that the teachers do not have the authority to say that classes are stopped… "that’s illegal"

Molinar said that what is being done by her educational transformation program is "aligning" high schools with the university and the needs of the productive sector, promoting technology and English and including ethics programs that had been eliminated.

The transformation, has reduced the number of secondary schools from 65 to 15.

The government recently launched a 5 and one campaign to persuade Panamanians to adopt a healthier lifestyle by including at least five fruit and vegetables servings a day in their diet.

Checking with numerous schools yesterday revealed that they know nothing about it.