Teachers defy rain to deliver message

TORRENTIAL rain on Friday, April 27 failed to dampen the determination of thousands of schoolteachers calling for government promises to be kept.

They gathered at the Republic of Venezuela school in Calidonia, and marched to the presidential palace to let President  Varela know that they are tired of unfulfilled Government and Ministry of Education (Meduca) promises.

They are asking that the promised investment of 6% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in education be met.

The promise was made along with a strike agreement in 2016.

Diogenes Sanchez, general secretary of the Association of Panama Teachers   (Asoprof), said that despite the inclement weather: “we march decently for decent schools for our students and we are not asking for a salary increase but the promised 6% of the Gross Domestic Product”

Ángel Raúl Miter, general secretary of the Association of Herreran Educators, said that in Herrera there are many deficiencies in education because they did not name preschool teachers in time, many schools have infrastructure deficiencies food for students does not arrive on time.

Mauro Gordón, of Asoprof, said that “education in this country is in chaos, in a coma and if they do not get 6% of GDP it will die. We are on the street defending our students and the people of tomorrow

He added that “there is a lack of will on the part of the current government because they have  not complied with the agreement.”

A Meduca statement said: “The authorities have devoted hours and days to the concerns presented by the teachers’ unions. The problems facing school facilities date back many years and this administration is the one that has paid most attention to the school infrastructure.”