The Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) has raised around 2,500 administrative records to public sector teachers who have not appeared to teach. The data corresponds to the period of May 19, the day they declared in permanent assembly, as of June 2, 2025, according to the Social Communication Directorate (DICOMS).
It was indicated that the process is carried out in each Departmental Directorate of Education and that the teacher is formulated disciplinary positions, for which he has three business days to present his defense arguments – justify the faults.
This is the beginning of the sanction process and, by accumulating three minutes, The dismissal procedure beginsthe Mineduc reported.
Since May 19, teachers affiliated with the Union of Education Workers of Guatemala (Steg) declared themselves in permanent assembly to demand from the authorities a salary increase of 15%, so they suspended classes in several schools in the country.
To make greater pressure, since May 26, a group of trade unionists acampa in the Plaza de la Constitución, in zone 1 capital, with the speech that they will remain in place until their demands are attended.
Due to the absence of teachers in the classroom, the MINEDUC enabled the telephone number 1503 and the institutional website to receive the complaints of parents for the suspension of classes; The claims total 2087 until this June 2.
President Bernardo Arévalo said last Monday, at a press conference, that “for each teacher who is not in the classroom there are dozens of children who are stopping to receive education, and that is where we are acting within the framework of the law.” He added that minutes would be raised to those who do not appear to work, respecting the process established in the law.
Current increase
On April 30, Arévalo and the Minister of Education, Anabella Giracca, announced a 5% salary increase for public sector teachers from June 1, which will benefit about 133 thousand teachers, while administrative staff will receive Q400 per month. All workers will have Q500 more in the bonus they receive in June and December.
That was a unilateral decision, so that the STEG has indicated that it was not negotiated within the collective pact of working conditions that is under discussion since February 29, 2024. Its demand is an increase of 15%.
With the publication of the Government Agreement 92-2025 this week the increase offered by the MINEDUC was established, which is permanent and will be valid in the following years.
To cover the increase to workers in the seven months of 2025, the MINEDUC will disburse about Q621 million, And part of the funds will leave the salaries that will stop paying to the teachers who will retire this year, according to the authorities.