### Teachers Protest at the SNTE and Educational System Offices; Insist They Won’t Return to Classes
**Tijuana, August 26, 2024 –** Members of the Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) and the Sindicato Estatal de Trabajadores de la Educación (SETE) held a protest on Monday, August 26, declaring their refusal to return to classes until the state administration settles all outstanding debts with the teaching staff.
A group of CNTE-affiliated teachers gathered at the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE) offices, voicing their concerns that agreements were made with union leadership without consulting the rank-and-file members.
“We will believe them when they pay the retroactive amounts and the more than 2,700 interim teachers who have not been paid. What about the teachers who haven’t received their severance pay? What about those who should be retired but haven’t been permitted to do so?” stated Marco Antonio Pacheco Peña, the CNTE coordinator.
Only 25% of schools in the region resumed classes this Monday, according to Pacheco Peña. He criticized the governor for claiming an agreement had been reached with the teaching community, explaining that the deal was only with union leaders and comprised mere promises of possible payments by August 30, without ensuring full payment.
Similarly, hundreds of teachers protested at the State Educational System offices in the Zona Río area, emphasizing their intention not to return to the classroom until all debts are cleared.
María Virginia Pimentel Muñoz, coordinator of SETE in Tijuana, highlighted that interim teachers have gone unpaid for as long as two years. “The governor said active teachers would receive retroactive pay on Friday, and retirees would be paid next month. The priority is to pay interim teachers who have already worked and not been compensated,” she added.
In Tijuana alone, over 1,500 SETE-affiliated teachers have decided not to resume work until all commitments are met.
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### Additional News on Teachers’ Protests and Strikes
**Teachers’ Strikes Affect School Openings Across Mexico**
Teachers’ strikes have created disruptions in numerous schools across various states in Mexico. Protests similar to those in Tijuana were reported in Mexico City and other major cities. Educators are demanding timely payments and the settlement of all outstanding dues, emphasizing that they will continue their actions until these issues are resolved.
In Mexico City, demonstrations outside the local Secretariat of Education have echoed similar sentiments as those seen in Tijuana, with claims of unmet promises and inadequate responses from authorities. This unrest reflects a broader issue within the Mexican education system, where financial mismanagement and delays have long plagued the sector.
These protests also come at a critical time as the new school year begins, adding pressure to state and federal administrations to address and rectify the financial woes afflicting teachers nationwide. Parents and students, meanwhile, face uncertainty as the impasse continues, with many expressing frustration over the stalled school activities.
For the latest updates and insights on this ongoing situation, follow along at TJGringo.com, where we will continue to cover all developments related to teachers’ protests and educational news in Mexico.