The teacher union leader Humberto Montero, spokesperson for the National Front of Independent Educators (Frenei), questioned the curriculum redesign process promoted by the Ministry of Education (Meduca), stating that teachers have been excluded from a key stage that should have included their direct participation. Montero stated that the curriculum redesign is a necessary process but criticized that it is intended to be developed without the active intervention of the teaching sector, which is the sector that must ultimately apply the contents in the classrooms. "First, teachers participated in some two-week trainings on the topic of curriculum redesign, but more than participation in study plans, the previous administration didn't even look at the teaching administration," expressed the leader. The educator warned that educational content has been lagging for years and that this situation requires a profound review with the contribution of those who work directly in the educational system. "It has been five years since the content has been lagging, and it is regrettable because the same teacher organization has been pointing out that the curriculum redesign should be done every four years," he indicated. Montero also questioned that the process included business sectors and representatives of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (Apede), while, he said, teacher unions were left out. He recalled that in October 2019, business sectors were convened to discuss the curriculum redesign, but organized teachers were not invited. "We have curriculum specialists and even so we were not invited. The Ministry of Education must explain why the teaching sectors were not invited when we have presented projects and proposals on other occasions," he pointed out. Finally, Montero warned that any curriculum redesign that does not have the backing of the teaching sector could face obstacles in its implementation within the educational system. "The curriculum cannot be elaborated by a single person or a small group, it has to be built with the participation of those who work in the educational system," he stated. The leader also raised concerns about the validity of the curriculum document that is intended to be implemented, pointing out that there are doubts within the teaching sector about some aspects of the process. "There are colleagues who have pointed out possible irregularities in the curriculum design and that is why we must validate that content before it is implemented," he affirmed. Montero explained that the Ministry of Education's plan contemplates that during the year 2025, a revised program will be worked on, which will be subject to validation by preschool teachers to determine if it responds to the real needs of the educational system. According to him, educators will have to review content, identify necessary adjustments, and subsequently present improvement proposals before its definitive implementation. "We have to work with the content of that program, go validating the needs that exist and, if necessary, modify or reform the document prepared," he pointed out. The leader insisted that the most important element of the process must be the participation of the teaching sector. "The fundamental thing is that the teacher unions participate."
