Cozumel Public Schools on Strike!
The Cozumel public schools are on strike as of today! As I previously reported in the Cozumel Sun, Cozumel public school employees have geared up to join what can become a National Strike of Mexico’s public schools. Cozumel has 24 Kindergartens, 34 Elementary Schools, 6 Middle Schools, and 9 High Schools that together represent a total of over 18,000 students that as of today are at home with their education on hold. Union leadership have reported that attempts to present their concerns to the State government have been ignored.
On Monday several elementary campuses hung banners and ads announcing that classes would be suspended on Tuesday. Other schools in addition to notifying parents of the coming strike, invited them to come to an informational meeting were they were informed about the issues both in the proposed employee salary cuts and the effects the new school reform would have on the curriculum and students.
On Tuesday the majority of the schools did not hold classes. It was reported that only Benito Juarez (Primary), Adelphus Escalante (primary), and Luis Alvarez Barret (secondary) went about their normal activities. In today’s Por Esto, it was reported that as many as 15 of the 73 schools in Cozumel held classes. The ones that did hold classes informed the parents that they would also be joining the strike this week. The issue was confused because of the rain. Many schools flood during heavy rains and parents are asked not to bring their children. There are classrooms that flood that also have poor wiring and place the children in danger of electrocution. It was unclear if the low attendance was due to the strike or the heavy rain.
The rain did not stop local teachers and school employees of Cozumel, who on Tuesday evening, hoping to be heard and considered in the fight for their rights, staged a sit-in Quintana Roo Park, the same action as did their counterparts in the State Capital, Chetumal. The Municipal Palace is reported to be leaderless; there is no one available to answer questions as they are in the process of changing administrations. As I write this article, hundreds of public school teachers and employees are marching on the Malecón (seafront) downtown. Cozumel teachers are contemplating traveling to the State Capital to join their counterparts to be more effective.
The Cozumel Sun is New and Improved!
As promised, the Cozumel Sun now has a Living in Cozumel Guide with step by step instructions and information that will be useful to the English Speaking Community. We will be updating the information as needed and adding new sections. Readers are encouraged to contact us with any questions they may have.
The Directory of Reliable Service Workers in Cozumel is well on the way. To date we have listings for covering over 20 services including Attorneys, Doctors, Dentists, Electricians, Plumbers, Carpenters, etc. The list will grow as we receive recommendations from our readers of reliable workers. Advertising for these services is FREE of charge.
This is just a local news update! Please follow the local news and information daily at: https://www.thecozumelsun.com/
The Cozumel Sun
