**Ongoing Shortage of Schools in Eastern Zone: A Thousand Students Await Placement**
In the eastern region of Tijuana, the persistent shortage of public schools at the primary and secondary levels has become a critical issue. According to Luis Manuel Cordoba Roman, the head of federal primary education for Sector 7, many students are still struggling to find spots in classrooms. The areas most affected include Valle de las Palmas and La Morita, where a new housing development is underway, yet educational infrastructure hasn’t kept pace.
Cordoba Roman emphasized the constant challenge of accommodating the educational needs of a growing population, many of whom are newly arrived from southern regions and other countries. Approximately a thousand primary school students remain on waiting lists, and some children have faced wait times of two to three years before securing a spot in school.
The education authority revealed that around 700 to 800 new students seek acceptance into local schools annually. The strategy should involve overbuilding rather than just meeting the immediate demand—to anticipate and absorb future enrollment increases. Cordoba Roman suggests that, when a new development offers land for educational facilities requiring six classrooms, at least eight should be constructed to manage the ongoing demand effectively.
**Secondary Article: Addressing Education Gaps in High-Crime Areas**
Efforts are being made to implement the D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program more effectively in schools located in higher crime areas of Tijuana. This program aims to educate students on resisting involvement in drugs and violence, ensuring these vulnerable communities receive crucial support and education that can contribute to reducing crime rates.
Meanwhile, state education authorities claim they’ve addressed the shortage of teachers, a statement contested by some organizations who maintain a significant gap still exists, with around 400 teacher positions unfilled.
Additionally, issues extend to higher education levels, as there continues to be a shortfall of about 1,300 spaces for high school students in Baja California. This further emphasizes the overall systemic challenges faced by the region’s educational infrastructure, necessitating comprehensive strategies and investments to bridge these gaps.