Over 20,000 teachers block Panama thoroughfare

OVER 20,000 teachers marched from the Carmelite church to the Ombudsman’s office on Calle 50 in Panama City at noon on Tuesday April 29, closing the roadway in front of the institution, for more than seven hours.

Minister of Education, Lucy Molinar said she tried to get to the Ombudsman’s office at 1.30 pm to participate in a roundtable meeting with teachers union leaders , but the request was denied

The Ombudsman asked for a path to be cleared but was told, "Nobody comes and nobody goes”
It is not the environment for a dialogue said " Molinar adding that her driver tried to go to do an errand , but was prevented by educators stationed on the street .
The coordinator of the National Union of Educators of Panama , Diogenes Sánchez , said Molinar reached the Ombudsman 's but did not sit at the negotiating table as had been agreed
Sanchez said that the action of his colleagues was because they feel cheated by the actions of of the Minister of Education. Some 15 teachers’organizations are involved in the protest and the strike reached its sixth day on Tuesday
Although Molinar denied being kidnapped, the Regional Director of Education for Panama Centerm, Federico Castro said : "The group Aeve [ Educators Association Veragüenseshas] hijacked the Ombudsman's office and all inside … What’s more is the shameful behavior of this group of people who pray to God are not teachers."reports La Prensa