A circular issued by the Directorate of the Pedro Pablo Sánchez (PPS) Secondary School, located in the district of La Chorrera, has caused concern and discontent among the educational guilds of West Panama province.
The missive, addressed to retired teachers and administrative staff, refers to a recent meeting of the Regional Board of Directors and Supervisors of West Panama, where the Minister of Education, Lucy Molinar, was present along with other high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA).
The circular, signed by rector Narciso Bastos Díaz, mentions that at said meeting, directors were asked to inform retired teachers and administrative staff that, for "health reasons that prevent them from working efficiently," they must "step aside".
Likewise, they are urged to "retire honorably and voluntarily," with the warning that if they do not do so, an expedient file would be opened to separate them from the education system.
The measure has been criticized by union leaders, including Luis Sánchez, who considers the action illegal, as it violates laws that protect workers with chronic or degenerative diseases.
Sánchez emphasized that this practice infringes on the labor rights of educators and could be a violation of human rights.
The union leader pointed out that a possible solution for the Ministry of Education would be to assign the affected teachers to other positions, instead of removing them from the education system.
In addition, he warned that if this measure persists, the guilds do not rule out filing a lawsuit before the Supreme Court of Justice.
Sánchez also suggested that this decision could be part of a government strategy to intimidate teachers and discourage them from participating in protests related to other issues of concern, such as the possible reopening of mines in the region.
