### 61% of Free Textbooks Have Arrived in Baja California: Secretary of Education
As the new school year 2024-25 approaches, the Secretary of Education for Baja California, Luis Gilberto Gallegos Cortez, has reported that 61% of the free textbooks have already arrived in the state. These textbooks will be distributed across public education institutions.
### Textbook Deliveries in Progress
Gallegos Cortez informed that a total of 4.5 million textbooks will be distributed to approximately 599,000 students in basic education across the state. The logistics for distribution at the state level are already underway.
“We have received about 61% of the textbooks and are working on the logistics to distribute them,” stated Gallegos Cortez. The distribution process began last week and is being managed by the educational authorities, school directors, supervisors, and other involved parties.
### Distribution Deadline
The Commission on Free Textbooks (Conaliteg) has set August 26 as the deadline for the complete delivery of textbooks for the new school year. University and higher education students have already returned to classes, with introductory courses starting on August 5 and 12, respectively.
### Potential Delay in Basic Education
However, the start of the school year for basic education students might be delayed. Teachers in Baja California have expressed concerns and are requesting an 11% salary increase and retroactive payments promised by the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, on May 15. Without these adjustments, approximately 18,600 state teachers might not return to the classrooms.
The local government has announced that they have only enough resources to cover a 6% salary increase.
### Secondary Article
**Teachers Strike Looms Over Pay Dispute in Baja California**
Further complicating the return to school, Baja California faces a significant challenge as thousands of teachers threaten to strike over unsatisfied salary adjustments. The state currently lacks the funds to meet the 11% salary increase demanded by the teachers’ union.
The government has confirmed that they can only cover an increase of 6%, which is insufficient according to the educators. The president’s promises made earlier this year have intensified the teachers’ stance, and negotiations are ongoing. The outcome of these talks will be crucial in determining whether the school year can start on time for many students in the state.
Stay tuned to TJGringo.com for updates on this developing story and other local news.
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