Xalapa, Veracruz - Memebers of the Veracruz Popular Teachers Movement complained that the education reform bill has already resulted in parents being asked for their help to pay electricity and water bills, as well as for the purchase of books that now may no longer be free.
At a press conference at the Secretariat of Education of Veracruz (SEV), which is was taken over by the teacher resistance, parents lamented that, in meetings with principals and teachers who have already returned to the classroom, "self-management" of the schools [mandated by the reform] was proposed, in which parents would contribute to paying utility bills for amounts ranging from 30 thousand to 40 thousand pesos [$2,300 to $3,000 US] per school.
Filomena Garcia, a single mother who supports the teachers' movement, said that in the Luis Donaldo Colosio School in the Zamora neighborhood of Tlalnehuayocan Municipality, school directors had already asked for this cooperation.
Other parents agreed that with "self-management", principals and teachers of elementary schools have been clear that school repairs, as well as payments for such services as water, internet and electricity, are expenses that will no longer be borne by the State.
Dissident Teachers announced that on Tuesday they will create a "human chain" in Xalapa's [the state capital] Plaza Lerdo, together with parents to protest against the education reform. Carrying placards rejecting police repression by the government of Javier Duarte (PRI), the teachers noted that the ravages of the constitutional reform are already being felt and it is just the beginning.
Accompanied by parents and students, classroom teachers gave a press conference to announce that for the moment they will ceasse the roadblocks and seizing of public buildings other than those of the education authorities. However, they specified that this was only a "tactical retreat", and they aren't considering a return to the classroom, as there is no indication of a revocation of the educational reform.
Martin Correa, a student in History in the School of Humanities, said that policies to privatize education and for the state to delegate responsibilities to citizens damages the social fabric of the Mexican middle and lower class.
Alejandro Cucurachi Duran, spokesman for the Veracruz Popular Teachers Movement, said they are already tired of the doublespeak of the government of Javier Duarte and of being listened to and only that. Duran said that the important thing is the will of the government to find a solution to the conflict.
"We will continue to be mobilize; more supporters will be mobilized. This is only a tactical retreat. They are going to see more supporters in the streets demonstrating until the government stops being punitive and moves to agreement, to dialogue. The blockade will end on Monday at 6 pm for the safety of our colleagues, because we're realizing that they are set on using police force." Cucurachi explainedIn contrast, the Secretary of Education of Veracruz, Xochitl Osorio, Veracruz claimed that there are more than 23,000 schools in session, where the supervisors from the state education offices assisted in the reopening of schools. Osorio said that several schools in the capital and other cities were closed by teachers who were outsiders. Spanish original