On the occasion of the start of the new school year, POED expresses strong dissatisfaction and concern over a series of issues that continue to plague public schools, highlighting the issues of air conditioning, temporary classrooms, and textbooks.
A statement from the teachers’ union notes that the government had committed to installing air conditioners in all classrooms within three years, a promise that, unfortunately, has not been fulfilled. “As this school year begins, thousands of children and teachers continue to be in classrooms without even the most basic conditions for thermal comfort. Air conditioning is not a luxury, but a matter of decent learning and working conditions.” At the same time, it adds, this is an issue that concerns the safety and health of children and teachers.
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POED states that it expects the executive branch to carry out the project without further delays—regardless of the reasons for them—and to provide a specific and binding timeline for its completion.
POED also expresses strong dissatisfaction with the fact that, for yet another year, hundreds of children will be attending classes in prefabricated classrooms. A solution that was meant to be temporary appears to be becoming a permanent option. “It is imperative that the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs undertake the necessary long-term planning, either for the construction of new classrooms or new school buildings.”
At the same time, he notes, the delay in the delivery of school textbooks is unacceptable. “It is unacceptable that this school year is beginning without the necessary educational materials, and teachers are being asked to make up for this shortfall using black-and-white photocopies, which not only entail a massive and unnecessary consumption of paper but also fail to meet the needs of the academic subjects.”
The union notes that yet another school year finds schools facing a shortage of teaching and support staff and reports that POED is proceeding with a systematic mapping of theshortages in order to capture the true picture and highlight the needs that require immediate attention.
In its statement, POED calls on the Ministry of Education, the Government, and all relevant stakeholders to take the necessary steps so that the public education system can provide a quality education for all children.
POED wishes all teachers, children, and parents a creative and wonderful school year, filled with health and strength, and extends a special welcome to our new colleagues who are taking their first steps into the large family of Public Education.
