News / Mexico

Police clash with protesting teachers in southern Mexico

Sunday, 29 November 2015 8:50 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 29 November 2015 8:50 AM ]

A group of teachers clash with members of the Federal Police in Oaxaca de Juárez, southern Mexico, on November 28, 2015. ©AFP

Mexican security forces have clashed with a group of teachers protesting against a new education reform law introduced by the government in the Latin American country’s southern state of Oaxaca.

On Saturday, several thousand Mexican teachers and education workers marched along the streets of Oaxaca de Juárez, located 365 kilometers (227 miles) south of the capital, Mexico City, in a protest called by the National Coordinating Council of Education Workers (CNTE) to express their resentment over the legislation, which obliges them to have their skills re-evaluated in a series of tests.

Violence broke out when police forces tried to disperse the demonstrators who were seeking to prevent other teachers from taking evaluations.

Angry protesters attempted to tear down the barriers, and hurled rocks and firecrackers at the police, who responded with tear gas.

A teacher holds a stone during clashes with members of the Federal Police in Oaxaca de Juárez, southern Mexico, on November 28, 2015. ©AFP

The CNTE opposes the evaluations, saying they are unfair and could lead to mass layoffs. It further argues that the evaluations do not take into account special skills needed to teach in rural or indigenous areas.

The government says teachers and education workers across Mexico are required to sit for the tests in order to enhance competitiveness in the education sector.

Those who refuse to take the exams face dismissal, but the teachers with spectacular results could receive wage increases of up to 35 percent.

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