**Ongoing School Shortage in Eastern Zone Leaves 1,000 Students Awaiting Placement**
As of December 2, 2024, the shortage of primary and secondary public schools in the eastern part of the city remains a pressing issue. Luis Manuel Cordoba Roman, the head of federal primary education for Sector 7, has highlighted the dire need for additional educational facilities in specific areas, such as Valle de las Palmas and La Morita, where new residential developments are currently underway.
Cordoba Roman noted that more than a thousand primary school students are currently on waiting lists to secure classroom space, with some facing delays of two to three years. The rapid influx of families relocating from other regions and countries has exacerbated the situation, making it difficult for the authorities to keep up with the growing demand for educational facilities. Each year, between 700 and 800 new students require placements within local schools.
Efforts have been made to address the shortage, but the demand continues to surge as residential areas expand. Cordoba Roman emphasized the importance of a strategic plan to preemptively construct additional classrooms to meet future needs.
**Related News: Educational Initiatives and Challenges in Baja California**
In other news from the region, authorities are working to implement the D.A.R.E. program in schools situated in areas with higher crime rates, aiming to educate students about the dangers of drug use. Despite previous shortages, the local education department has reportedly resolved the lack of teachers, although the CNTE claims there is still a shortfall of 400 educators.
Furthermore, the demand for spaces in high schools remains high, with approximately 1,300 teenagers yet to secure placements. In response to the growing population, plans are underway to provide housing for 130 families in Camino Verde, funded by the Conavi program.
Tensions around property taxes are also rising, particularly in luxurious and vertical construction zones such as Playas de Tijuana and Colinas de Agua Caliente, where taxpayers will face increased rates in 2025.
Lastly, there is a significant reliance on imports from China for 50% of the industrial supplies used in local manufacturing, underscoring the global connections of the region’s economy.
For those wishing to pursue higher education locally, the University Rosario Castellanos in Tijuana has opened its registration period, which will last for only four days, although extensions may be considered based on demand.