Teachers denounce increased attacks and lack of protection in Uribe Kosta

They criticize the Department of Education's stance and demand measures to ensure teacher safety and protection.

Generic image of a teachers' protest.
IA

Generic image of a teachers' protest.

Hundreds of teachers and staff from Uribe Kosta BHI have gathered to protest their "situation of lack of protection" amid an increase in "threats, assaults, and humiliation" against educators.

In two rallies held this morning, 60 and 40 teachers and staff members gathered to protest their "situation of lack of protection." As stated in a read text, while "threats, assaults, and humiliation" against teachers are escalating in Plentzia and other centers, the Department of Education "looks the other way or opens disciplinary proceedings against us." Consequently, they highlighted their "vulnerable situation," despite working with "a desire to educate our adolescents," because "the obstacles are growing ever larger."
Through the statement, the educational community of Uribe Kosta BHI emphasized the necessity of guaranteeing teachers' safety and protection in their daily work: "The Department of Education does not protect us," they denounced. Finally, they stressed that the mobilization's aim was to inform about the ongoing events and to highlight the need for improved working conditions and protective measures.
The LAB union has also joined the teachers and underscored the seriousness of the issue: "Education workers are concerned about the recent rise in assaults: they face death threats from some families, threats of physical assault, threats of lawsuits...".
Furthermore, they criticized the Department of Education's stance, stating that instead of implementing preventive and protective measures, it has imposed sanctions: "In addition to shirking its responsibility to protect workers, the Department is increasingly choosing to punish the actions of the worker who may face aggression, often making the worker themselves responsible for the aggression suffered".
Therefore, they have demanded that the Department of Education take specific measures, such as implementing prevention plans, medical examinations, psychosocial assessments, and ensuring that workplaces and centers provide adequate resources for analysis and prevention roles.