**Teachers Protest Over Unpaid Wages in Tijuana**
A group of teachers and administrative staff gathered to protest at the State Educational System offices in Tijuana due to unpaid wages and potential amendments to the ISSSTE Law. The demonstration, which started early in the morning, saw educators and staff holding up signs with messages demanding timely and fair payment. Some signs humorously referenced the popular character Señor Barriga, stating “They owe me 14 months.”
Irving Gastélum, a primary school worker from section 37 of the SNTE, highlighted that 800 teachers are owed wages from past academic years, with another 800 accruing new debts this year. The total debt exceeds 152 million pesos, excluding the current cycle’s unpaid wages.
Despite promises from the secretary of education indicating a willingness to pay, the lack of available resources continues to stall payment. Jacqueline González, a representative from Secondary School 216, mentioned some staff have been owed payments dating back to January and even as far as 2022.
Adding to the organized protest, members of the Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) expressed their concerns about potential changes to the ISSSTE Law. The group urged for a law that values teachers’ performance and years of service.
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**Additional Developments in Tijuana’s Education Sector**
The lack of sufficient educational staff is a pressing issue in Baja California, where estimates indicate a shortfall of around 2,000 teachers for basic education. The CNTE is hopeful that the local educational authorities will address the shortage by the end of the month.
Meanwhile, in a related situation, teachers from Conalep have reported facing reprisals for attempting to switch their union affiliation. As they continue to advocate for their rights, workers in the SNTE persist in their protests over payment delays within the educational system.
The state of education in Tijuana seems further strained with reports suggesting impending reductions in public transport availability, potentially affecting teachers and students alike. On a more positive note, local firefighters recently made headlines for their successful rescue of a dog that had fallen into a 15-meter-deep well, a reminder of the community’s dedication to protection and service despite the challenges faced.