Teachers’ and doctors’ unions object to the resumption of classes in person

The Ecuadorian Medical Federation (FME) and the National Union of Educators (UNE) questioned that this monday january 17 are resumed school activities which were suspended this week to support the vaccination process against COVID-19 for children and teachers.

The Education Minister Maria Brown, explained that the plan of progressive return to face-to-face attendance voluntarily in the country’s educational establishments.

Santiago Carrasco, president of the FME, pointed out that the union has always warned of what inopportune to convene face-to-face classes during the pandemic.

Carrasco explained that although those under 18 are a group at lower risk of serious illness and death can be infected.

He added that with the presence of new variants that are more contagious evade natural immunity, as well as that of vaccines.

“It is not opportune, at this time, to take the boys to (the) presence given the conditions we are experiencing (…), the only thing that will cause is a very high risk of contagion and carry the virus…”, he argued.

He added that there is 54% positivity and shortage of diagnostic tests.

A controlled capacity, staff and students vaccinated, among the guidelines for the voluntary face-to-face return of classes, detailed the Minister of Education, María Brown

As long as Isabel Vargas, head of the UNE, affirmed that the State has not guaranteed school infrastructure and has observed classroom overcrowding with the presence of 40 or 50 students.

In addition, they are not enough or the sanitary batteries or sinks and these are not in good condition.

Vargas proposed to end the school year in the Coast-Galapagos regime via virtual and for the Sierra-Amazon regime, once the contagion curve is passed, they return to face-to-face, but there is a parent inspectionto educational institutions.