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Neoliberalism Takes Toll on
Panama Education
The crisis of the Panamanian
education system is a
consequence of the neoliberal
system, which puts the laws of
the market above that of the
welfare of the population,
declared Panamanian sociologist
Olmedo Beluche Monday.
In his article in La Prensa
daily, Beluche said that neither
multiple educative plans nor
sacrifices by teachers mean
anything for hungry children
from homes without a minimum
income, destroyed by misery and
harassed by drugs, crime and
juvenile gangs.
Rejecting the current teacher
strike as the cause of the
education crisis, Beluche said
the fundamental root of the
problem is the social,
political, economic, cultural
and moral crises of Panamanian
society.
Teachers should take part of the
responsibility and adopt a
change of attitude, but teachers
are not guilty for the problem,
he said.
Beluche proposed that the
Panamanian government and unions
start a dialogue for a solution.
Four weeks ago the Teachers
Action Front (FAM) began a
strike for a raise of 190
dollars a month. Later, it
reduced the demand to 145 and
now to 120 dollars a month, but
the Panamanian Executive is only
willing to pay 90 dollars a
month.
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