This Thursday morning, more than 200 teachers from the Indigenous Education Level, belonging to the Regional Coordinator of the Highlands of Chiapas of the National Union of Education Workers (NEI-CRACH-SNTE), gathered at kilometer 46 of the San Cristóbal-Tuxtla Gutiérrez toll road, where they began a total blockade of the highway. They announced that this mobilization will last 48 hours and seeks to demand that the educational authorities comply with their demands, since the Secretary of Education in the state has not shown interest in resolving the problems of the teaching profession. They have been deceived on four occasions, since the educational authorities have called the teachers to meetings that have later been suspended. For this reason, they decided to close this important route that connects the two capitals: political and cultural.
Since 10 a.m. on Thursday, more than 200 teachers gathered at kilometer 46, blocking the highway and leaving dozens of vehicles stranded in the area. Other drivers looked for alternative routes to get to Tuxtla or San Cristóbal. The protest is due to the fact that officials suspended four meetings organized by the teachers.
On September 26 of this year, officials from the Ministry of Education called a meeting in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, but it was suspended at the last minute. It was rescheduled for October 4, but it was also cancelled. Then another meeting was scheduled for October 11, which was again suspended. Finally, they scheduled a meeting for October 17, which unfortunately was also cancelled, leading the indigenous teachers to agree to this 48-hour concentration at kilometer 46 of the San Cristóbal-Tuxtla Gutiérrez toll road.
The indigenous teachers’ constant demands include the categorical rejection of the 710 division of San Cristóbal de las Casas, the immediate hiring of teaching staff with positions and/or interim teachers with fair salaries, the immediate payment to interim teachers who are still owed from previous cycles, the immediate relocation of those who requested changes of work center, and the acceleration of the legal procedures of those protected.
Finally, the teachers have indicated that this concentration will take place for 48 hours. If they are called to a meeting and the results are satisfactory, they could free the road. In the meantime, they apologize to motorists, who are the most affected, but argue that this protest is necessary, since the educational authorities have neglected the indigenous teachers.
Source: elheraldodechiapas
