### Parents Fear Delays in School Year Start Due to Teacher Payment Issues
Parents in Tijuana are expressing concern over potential delays in the upcoming school year caused by unresolved salary issues for teachers. Families are urging the State Education Secretariat (SEE) to pay teachers their dues promptly to avoid any disruption in students’ education.
According to Yesenia Lara, a guardian of a secondary school student in the Sánchez Taboada neighborhood, the school has informed them that classes will not commence until the teacher protests are resolved. The protests stem from unpaid wages and the demand for a salary increase for interim teachers.
This delay could significantly impact students’ performance, particularly since the issue coincides with the official start of the school year on Monday, August 26. Teachers associated with the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE) and the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) have made it clear that they will not return to classrooms until their demands are met.
Lara acknowledged the teachers’ right to protest for fair compensation, emphasizing that many have families to support and various financial responsibilities. “I worry about the students falling behind, but I understand the teachers’ need to voice their demands for rightful payment. They have every right; they have lives and families to care for,” Lara said.
Ana Padilla, another concerned parent, mentioned that a recent communication from the SNTE announced a strike, likely leading to a delayed school start. She pointed out the inefficacy of the state government’s handling of the issue, which has persisted for several years. “It’s unfair to our children, but my frustration lies more with the government than the teachers. When there’s a will, there’s a way,” she expressed.
Parents are calling on the State Education Secretariat (SEE) to resolve the payment issues urgently to ensure that students’ education is not compromised.
### Additional News
#### Teachers’ Strike Over Unpaid Salaries Delays School Year Start in Baja California
In related news, teachers in Baja California are preparing for a strike at the start of the new school year due to outstanding salary payments. Parents are worried that this strike will disrupt their children’s education.
The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) has organized various demonstrations, including a recent caravan in Tijuana, demanding government action on overdue payments to interim teachers. Ana Padilla, a mother of a primary school student, highlighted the dual impact of these protests, acknowledging the teachers’ right to fair wages while criticizing the government’s long-standing neglect.
In another development, reports indicate that 61% of free textbooks for the new school year have been delivered in Baja California. Despite this progress, the looming teachers’ strike continues to overshadow the preparations for a smooth start to the academic term.
#### Protests by Judicial Workers Continue Amidst Union Inaction
Separately, judicial workers in Tijuana are continuing their protests against what they describe as a lack of support from their union. Gathered outside the Judicial Power facilities, the workers are planning their next steps, with judges and magistrates expected to join in the coming days.
#### Major Drug Seizure at Mesa de Otay
In other news, authorities at the Mesa de Otay crossing have seized $5 million worth of methamphetamine hidden in watermelons. The 29-year-old driver of the truck carrying the illicit cargo was attempting to enter the United States from Tijuana.
### Upcoming Events and Initiatives
– A new pedestrian bridge in the Macroplaza area of Tijuana is now 50% complete and is expected to be finished by September. It will include ramps for the disabled and elderly and bays for public transport users.
– Registration is open for senior citizens aged 65 and over to receive the Bienestar pension, covering those who turned 65 in June and July, as well as anyone else who has yet to register.
– The “Casa Fuerte” program is providing material support for housing improvements in Baja California, aiming to assist citizens in rehabilitating or dignifying their homes.
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