He Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) issued a statement in which it responds to the recent criticisms of the Guatemala (Steg) education workers unionwho accuses of promoting a campaign of misinformation and hindering the progress of the new collective pact.
According to the MINEDUC, the negotiations with the Steg have been affected by the negative of the union to review articles considered illegal of the previous agreement.
These articles, according to the portfolio, grant undue powers to the union leadership, which prevents technical and pedagogical improvements for the educational system.
In the statement, the MINEDUC details five key points:
- Will to improve salary
It is false that there is no will to improve the conditions of the teaching. The MINEDUC states that, together with the Ministry of Public Finance, it works on the design and implementation of a fair salary increase, based on state capabilities and without compromising financial stability. - Obstacle in the collective pact
The main impediment to progress, says the portfolio, is the refusal of the Steg to review illegal articles inherited from the anterior pact, which give the union faculties to veto benefits and educational improvements. This refusal is documented in more than 40 negotiation certificates. - Hiring transparency
The places within the educational system are assigned by merit, technical criteria and availability of resources, and are not subject to negotiations with external actors. The MINEDUC ensures transparent processes, focused on educational quality. - Rejection of teachers’ coercion
Attempts to force teachers to participate in protests through threats or misinformation are condemned. Although the right to demonstrate is respected, the MINEDUC denounces manipulation of the will of educators. - Active negotiation
The Ministry states that negotiation tables and mixed joints remain active. However, he points out that unilateral pressure measures are incompatible with the dialogue process.
Amparo prohibits blockages and schools
In parallel, the twelfth court of the civil bouquet granted a provisional amparo to MINEDUCwhich orders the Steg to refrain from making de facto measures that affect the development of the school year, such as BLOCKS, SUSPENSION OF CLASSES OR TAKE OF EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS.
Minister Anabella Giracca indicated that this ruling protects the continuity of the educational service throughout the country and protects the right to education of children and adolescence.
The Court resolved in favor of the State of Guatemala, through the Attorney General’s Office (PGN), highlighting that illegitimate blockages and actions violate the right to free locomotion and seriously affect the administrative activity of the MINEDUC.
Possible manifestations and road alert
Although the STEG leadership has not officially confirmed the mobilizations announced on social networks for the Thursday, April 10, municipal and transit authorities remain on alert.
The spokesman of Emetra, Amílcar Montejo, informed that A possible concentration is expected from 7.00 in the Plaza del Obelisco and its surroundings.
Until Wednesday night, no formal notification had been received from the union or the Ministry of the Interior.
Montejo recommended taking alternate routes, such as Peripheral, Bolívar Avenue, Diagonal 6, Rafael Landívar and Vista Hermosa Boulevards, and the Atanasio Tzul road, Given the possibility of closures at strategic points such as Civic Center, Reforma Avenue and the Congress of the Republic.