Tens of thousands of students from the Sierra, Frontera, and Frailesca regions of Chiapas did not start classes yesterday due to the violence prevailing in those regions from the dispute between rival organized crime groups, reported Armando Falconi, leader of the Democratic State Assembly of Section 40 of the National Union of Education Workers, affiliated with the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE).
“We do not have an exact figure of the number of schools, students, or teachers, but tens of thousands did not start activities,” Falconi said in an interview, noting that students of all educational levels were affected.
In recent weeks, insecurity has worsened, especially against the population with kidnappings, disappearances, extortion, recruitment of young people, and displacements.
He reproached: “We have not seen any criminals detained who roam the roads under the noses of the Army and the National Guard. There is a great breakdown that affects education and has forced many young people to drop out of school.”
A teacher working in the Sierra, speaking on condition of anonymity, said many parents requested the suspension of classes because, with roadblocks, they see no way to enter the communities. He said one of the municipalities most affected by violence is Chicomuselo.
The problem, he explained, is that the government led by Salomón Jara agreed that these requirements would be met for the return to classes, which did not happen, and only six out of 30 hires have been made.
Therefore, early education teachers suspended activities and blocked 5 de Armenta and López Street and Independencia Avenue in the state capital. Similarly, the start of the school period was postponed in at least five schools in Acapulco, Guerrero, due to protests related to teachers’ labor demands.
Source: La Jornada
