It's Back To School
Almost 1.000.000 students return to classes today for the 2007 school year, both for private as well as public schools, some attending classes in in the morning, while others will be in the classroom in the afternoon and a number at night.

In total there are 4.004 schools and 779 colleges and technical schools with 55.000 teachers awaiting their first school day.

The Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP) assures that all is ready for the school year, following charges by MEP minister, Leonardo Garnier, of a boycott that has mired the MEP with problems with contacting all the teachers and notifying them of their assigned schools.

Garnier said yesterday that there are forces working against the MEP to ensure a poor start to the school year, saying that too many coincidences united to cause the problem, that included the theft of MEP computers containing the names of the appointed teachers and problems in communication notices.

The school year also begins with the fact that the sixth year classes don't have to present their exams to the MEP.

The school year goes until December with breaks for Semana Santa (Easter), holidays, teacher conferences and mid-year break.

The Tratado Libre de Comercio (TLC) - free trade agreement with the United States - protests planned for the coming month may also interrupt the 200 day school year, as teachers have, as in the past, vowed to join the manifestations.

As customary, Tránsito officials (traffic police) will be monitoring the back to school up close, keeping an eye on traffic in and around schools and spot checks of school transport vehicles to ensure that they comply with all current regulations, including the wearing of seat belts by all students>

The Fuerza Pública (police) will also providing security to the schools and students to ensure an uneventful return to classes.