Mexico City, August 19.- The Secretary of Public Education, Delfina Gómez Álvarez, affirms that there are conditions for the return to the classrooms of 25 million preschool, primary and secondary school students, although she recognizes that it will be the Ministry of Health (Ssa) that will have the fin
al say , in the face of a pandemic "so dishonest" that it does not allow for the prediction of multiple situations.
"We're looking at the conditions for opening schools, and we need to improve some things, yes, but we have a few days to make some clarifications. We're looking at the conditions (for the return), unless there's a situation beyond our control and at the direction of the Ministry of Health, we would have to abide by what it establishes," he notes.
In an interview with La Jornada , he emphasized: "We're betting that all (students) will show up on August 30th." He admitted that there's still no estimate of how many will return to the classroom. "We'll see how many actually show up, and that will determine what options each school can pursue."
To date, he notes, 17,000 schools across the country have been found without drinking water , either due to damaged pipes or because they have never had access to the service. He announces resources to address this vital need, primarily in schools in Veracruz, Guerrero, Chiapas, and the State of Mexico. The funds will be delivered directly to the Participatory School Health Committees (CPSE).
Another challenge, the official points out, is ensuring schools' connection to the power grid. "We have schools with outstanding bills, and we're already working with the Federal Electricity Commission, with Manuel Bartlett, to see if we can develop a program that allows for negotiations."
—How will the SEP address the supply of basic hygiene and cleaning supplies for schools?
