Teachers overcame the Executive through the force measurement after a weeklong work stoppage, and reached an agreement in which the Government will commit to allocate more resources to education, and respect the agreements signed for the progressive wage increases.
With these two aspects raised in an agreement with the High-level Commission appointed by the Executive, the bases of the teaching unions decided unanimously yesterday to call off the strike, and reactivate classes nationwide this Monday.
Open Call
From 10:00 a.m. yesterday, a large number of teachers gathered in Panama City, in the premises of the Republic of Venezuela primary school to ratify the previous agreement, which seemed like a session of victory before the initial intransigence shown by the Government, and by the very President Juan Carlos Varela.
However, at 11:30 a.m., the Association of Teachers of the Republic of Panama (Asoprof) had already reported that the teachers´ assemblies in Colon, Herrera, Los Santos and Chiriquí had approved the agreement.
At noon, the bastion in the Capital was already made up of a high concentration of teachers, who chanted slogans like "without struggle there is no victory", and "an educator united will never be defeated".
At that time, Diógenes Sánchez, Coordinator of the National Teachers´ Association de Panama (Unep), confirmed to the media that the agreement had been approved unanimously by the bases, which opened up a way to a ratification later with the authorities, and to the resumption of classes on Monday.
Agreement
Speaking with Panamá América, Professor Sánchez pointed out that, although this agreement was not granting 100% of their aspirations, it did include "positive aspects" favoring those who were fighting.
In this sense, the teachers´ leader stressed the Government's commitment to provide funds equivalent to 6% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country to the 11 institutions that represent the "educational sector".
"In our judgment, this is the most important achievement made, because now the schools will have more resources, and the Government is committed to grant them through its administrative period ", said Sanchez, who stressed that the associations "will keep vigilant and see that this is fulfilled ".
Another achievement of the teachers who were on strike was that in this agreement, the Government commits itself to comply with Decree 155, which previously established three progressive increases of $300 each, of which the Executive was trying to eliminate one.
The second wage increase would be from the first half of July 2017, and for the year 2020, another $300 will be granted.
Additionally, the Government is committed to pay on 29 of July the monthly compensation in concept of the extended class sessions, to the educators that were registered in March.
Similarly, August 15 be cancelled the debts in respect of appointments of teaching contests of 2016.}
And on October 15 all expired debts of some 8,000 educators will be paid, which would require a State expenditure of a total of nearly $9 million.
For 30 more days a Commission will discuss issues that were pending, related with the processes of evaluation.
Missed classes make-up
Once classes are restored today, the commitment by each center will continue to be sought in regards to the missed classes, which according to union leader Humberto Montero will be discussed by directors in meetings with parents.
However Eleazar Gomez, of Confederation of Parents of the Official Education, said that "the grades can be caught up, but the time missed can´t ".