**Parents Take Over Education Department Offices in Tijuana, Demand More Teachers**
Parents from the General Guadalupe Victoria Elementary School have taken control of the local Education Department offices in Tijuana in protest of a shortage of fifth-grade teachers. Together with their children, the parents blocked the entry of department staff, voicing chants of “we want teachers” to prevent anyone from entering, although they allowed exits.
This protest comes after previous demonstrations in October, where educational authorities promised to resolve the teacher shortage by the end of the month, a promise that has evidently gone unfulfilled. Abimael Ramos, a spokesperson for the concerned parents, expressed frustration saying, “It’s unjust that we’re past the first trimester and still without teachers. We’re worried about the educational setbacks our children are facing.”
The situation is reportedly prevalent across 18 schools in Tijuana, all impacted by this staffing shortage. Luis Gallegos Cortez, head of the state’s Education Department, acknowledged the deficit, stating that they need to hire 2,000 teachers to meet the current demand. He assured that efforts are being made to address this issue by the latter half of October.
**Secondary Article: Teacher Shortages and Protests in Tijuana Reflect a Wider Crisis**
A broader crisis is emerging in Tijuana’s educational system as faculty shortages and delayed payments spark widespread unrest. Teachers from secondary schools have joined the strike organized by the National Union of Education Workers, demanding overdue payments. This has further escalated the crisis, causing significant disruptions in academic schedules.
The predicament is not limited to Tijuana alone, as similar protests are taking place in 11 schools in the region. Many educational institutions face the threat of closure due to the lack of adequate teaching staff. The General Secretary of the Teachers’ Union in Baja California has emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues to avoid long-term impacts on students’ education.
**Further Developments and Community Responses**
Community efforts continue to tackle challenges beyond teacher shortages. For example, a pre-school named Edouard Seguin has been seized again by parents due to a lack of cleaning staff, with mothers volunteering to sanitize the facility for nearly two years. Additionally, new measures, such as local alcohol permit applications, are being introduced to enhance local governance and service delivery.
These compounded community and institutional challenges underscore the need for collaborative approaches between government entities, educators, and residents to stabilize and improve the educational landscape in Tijuana and beyond.