Suspension of classes will increase education problems

The suspension of classes will only deepen the problems of the Panamanian education sector and  “ will reduce the professional development that our young people deserve” says Marcela Galindo De Obarrio, president of Panama’s the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (Cciap).

She recognized the legitimate right of citizens to demonstrate. But in the case of educators, “we firmly believe that this right can be exercised without affecting students, already deeply impacted by the lack of face-to-face classes” due to the covid-19 pandemic and recalled a recent report by the World Bank and the United Nations Children’s Fund after the pandemic, the learning outcomes of Panamanian students “could have gone back a decade.”

Therefore, it is urgent “that we do everything possible to avoid another suspension of classes or deterioration of the teaching-learning process”.

Budget review

“We call on the National Government to act responsibly through its different ministries so that it actively manages the crisis and the different demands of the population. And nothing better than leading by example: it is urgent that the Ministry of Economy and Finance present a plan for saving and containing spending through a rigorous review of the current and future budget, so that Panamanians are certain about what resources we have for proposing viable solutions to a situation caused by international factors over which we have no influence”, said the leader.

In addition, the union insisted on the need to generate employment opportunities through accurate and transparent public investment and “by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.”

The Cciap reiterated the call to all parties to return to the negotiating table.