Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Q.R. — Educators from the National Council for Educational Development (CONAFE) protested Tuesday. The large group of community teachers protested to demand institutional recognition and better working conditions.
The group arrived with signs denouncing the neglect of their educational work in communities where the Ministry of Public Education (SEP) does not offer its services.
The protest, part of a national strike, involved 117 educators who provide academic support to nearly 2,900 children in 33 rural communities in the municipalities of Felipe Carrillo Puerto and José María Morelos.
The protesters stated that despite performing duties comparable to those of a primary school teacher, such as planning, pedagogical monitoring, and goal achievement, they lack social security and job security, as they only sign monthly contracts for basic fees.
Those protesting say that while a beneficiary of the Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro (Youth Building the Future) program receives 9,582 pesos per month, community educators with the National Council for Educational Development (CONAFE) earn between 2,600 and 5,000 pesos.
They also said they have been paid those wages without a raise in over four years, despite increased responsibilities and the increase in the cost of living.
In addition to covering transportation, food, lodging, and materials expenses, the educators reported that many work in high-risk areas, where they have faced attacks and kidnappings without institutional support.
The protesting group Tuesday demanded that their work cease to be considered a mere social service and be recognized as an essential educational function for historically marginalized communities.
They said their strike will continue until they are heard and their demands are met by the relevant authorities. Among their main demands is equal pay between the federal program Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro and Consejo Nacional de Fomento Educativo (Conafe).
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