BOLIVIA: LA PAZ: TEACHERS PROTEST OVER GOVERNMENT REFORM

Описание: (21 Jan 1997) Spanish/Nat

Bolivian teachers have clashed with police in the capital, La Paz.

The teachers were protesting against the government's educational reform which will require teachers to take an exam if they want a promotion.

The teachers say the reform will affect thousands of teachers who have spent years waiting for an automatic promotion based on seniority.

Bolivian teachers have taken their anger to the streets.

Hundreds of teachers gathered outside the Judicial Technical Police in La Paz Monday to protest against the government's educational reform.

Under the new laws teachers will get a promotion only if they take a special exam.

The teachers - members of the Federation of Urban Teachers of La Paz - say this will affect scores of teachers who have waited for years to get promoted based on seniority.

On Monday over 11-thousand teachers took the exam.

Education Secretary Juan Carlos Pimentel said those who failed to show up on Monday will have to wait until next year to take it and hope for a promotion.

He added the government does not have the resources to repeat the exam for those who missed it.

An official from the Catholic University - where the exam took place - said the protests have spread to other departments.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
There are divisions in the relations between the Secretariat (of education) and the federation (Federation of Urban Teachers of La Paz). They have not reached an agreement so that the exam could take place peacefully. That impasse has caused that not only in La Paz but also in Cochabamba and Potosi, there have been the same problems and also in Oruro.
SUPER CAPTION: Carlos Calderon, Catholic University

The protesters also demanded the release from jail of a colleague - Jose Luis Alvarez - who was arrested during the protest.

It is still unknown why the teacher was arrested but some believe he had broken into the coliseum to interrupt the examination.

There were minor scuffles between police and teachers who tried to force their way into the police building where they believed their colleague was detained.

They also blocked all the main roads leading to the police headquarters.

The teachers have vowed to continue their protests until the government changes its mind with regard to the exams.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
We want that - as with the rest of the professions - seniority for teachers is also recognised, just as it is recognised for the military, police and many other sectors, because seniority in teaching means experience and experience is guarantee for education to be effective.
SUPER CAPTION: Professor Luis Soruco, Executive Secretary Teachers' Federation

Bolivia's education system is in a shambles.

Most public schools are in decay with poor infrastructure and little resources.

Bolivia has the highest illiteracy rate in South America.

It is estimated that over two (m) million people over the age of 15 do not know how to read and write.

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