### Primary Article: Parents Protest at Miguel Hidalgo Elementary Over Teacher Shortage
Parents of students at Miguel Hidalgo Elementary School have taken matters into their own hands, staging a protest by occupying the school due to a persistent shortage of teachers. Early in the morning, before the school day began, the protesters placed banners around the school entrance reading “We Demand Solutions” and “We Want Action Now.”
According to parents at the protest, located on Boulevard Sánchez Taboada, four classes have been without teachers since the beginning of the school year. Frustration has mounted as they have not received any information about when this issue might be resolved.
“It’s unfair that we don’t have teachers. I value the quality of education here, but it’s not right that 20 days into the school year, there are still no teachers. They’ve even given exams on topics the kids haven’t been taught. There’s been no response from the school administration or the Education Department, so we’re taking over the school,” expressed Cecilia Flores, a mother of a fourth-grade student.
Virginia Márquez, another concerned parent, lamented the recurring problem, noting that this is the second consecutive year that her children have been left without proper instruction. She voiced concern over not knowing when teachers would be available. “The children come to school, enter the classroom, but they’re basically left to their own devices because there’s no teacher. How are we supposed to handle the whole school year? They just tell us there’s no teacher and no funding,” she expressed.
Márquez also mentioned rumors of potentially combining classes, which could result in up to 40 students per classroom—something she believes would negatively impact the children’s learning experience. “We need teachers immediately. It’s not acceptable for the children to come and then be left alone,” she added.
The school’s Parent-Teacher Association did not support the occupation, stressing that it affected 18 classes. They also refuted the claims, stating that only two classes lacked teachers but are supported by a pedagogical technical advisor.
Perla Melgoza, president of the school’s Parent Council, remarked, “Those who are protesting are taking actions without considering the opinion of the parents and the council. Last year, there were teacher shortages too, but the school wasn’t taken over. This is a government problem, not the school’s responsibility.”
### Secondary Article: Ongoing Teacher Shortages Affecting Secondary Schools in Tijuana
The issue of teacher shortages is not isolated to Miguel Hidalgo Elementary. Students at “La Poli” Secondary School are also struggling to meet their academic requirements due to a lack of educators. Similar to the situation at Miguel Hidalgo, parents and students are growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of solutions.
Recent reports indicate that the shortage is affecting not only elementary and secondary schools but also other educational institutions in the region. For example, Insurgentes Elementary has been closed for a week following protests by parents over the absence of teachers. This situation has led many to question the efficiency and responsiveness of the Education Department.
Moreover, the local government has announced measures to address this pervasive issue. Teachers in Baja California will reportedly receive their full salaries for the first half of September, hoping to mitigate some of the discontent. However, parents remain skeptical, urging prompt and lasting solutions rather than temporary fixes.
This ongoing crisis underscores a broader issue within the education system in Tijuana and may necessitate significant changes in policy and administration to ensure that students receive the quality education they deserve. The community continues to call for immediate action, hoping their collective voice will drive the necessary improvements.