Background on the Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE)
The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) is a Mexican teachers’ union known for its strong advocacy for educational reform and teachers’ rights. Established in 1978, the CNTE represents thousands of educators across Mexico, particularly those from rural and indigenous communities. The union has frequently engaged in protests, strikes, and demonstrations to voice their concerns regarding education policies, funding, and teacher evaluations.
Current Protest Details
As per the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) of Mexico City, approximately 12,000 teachers are participating in the ongoing protest at the Zócalo, the city’s main square. The demonstration marks its 11th day and is centered around two primary demands:
- The repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE reform
- A salary increase of 100%, as opposed to the previously announced 9% by President Claudia Sheinbaum on May 15
Protest Actions and Impact
Throughout the past days, teachers have blocked roads, occupied toll booths, shut down access to the Benito Juárez International Airport (AICM), and maintained a siege on the Palacio Nacional, Zócalo, and surrounding streets. Their encampment includes tents, ribbons, and tarpaulins to shield them from the elements.
Government Response and Offers
In response to the escalating protests, the Secretaría de Gobernación (Segob) and the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) reiterated their commitment to dialogue with the CNTE. A joint statement by both departments, led by Rosa Icela Rodríguez and Mario Delgado, called for agreements with the teachers following blockades at both AICM terminals and various city streets.
The SEP reported that, due to the teachers’ strike, 19,462 basic education schools out of a total of 202,184 public institutions nationwide have suspended activities.
President Sheinbaum’s Stance
Following a protest that prevented access to Palacio Nacional on the previous Wednesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized her administration’s ongoing dialogue with the teachers and its refusal to respond with repression.
On that day, the customary morning press conference was conducted via videoconference due to protesters blocking access and preventing journalists and officials from entering. Some reporters were reportedly assaulted, according to national media outlets.
As a result, Sheinbaum canceled the planned meeting for that Friday with CNTE leaders and delegated the encounter to Segob and SEP representatives.
.@ClaudiaSheinbaum: “Hay cosas que no están bien. El diálogo sigue abierto al más alto nivel (…), pero en estas condiciones, ¿para qué se reúnen conmigo?” #DiálogoConCNTE https://twitter.com/hashtag/DialogoConCNTE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
— Azteca Noticias (@AztecaNoticias) May 27, 2023
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is the CNTE? The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) is a Mexican teachers’ union representing educators, especially those from rural and indigenous communities.
- What are the teachers demanding? The CNTE is demanding the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE reform and a salary increase of 100%, contrary to the previously announced 9% by President Claudia Sheinbaum.
- What has been the government’s response? The Secretaría de Gobernación (Segob) and the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) have reiterated their commitment to dialogue with the CNTE and offered various concessions, including a 9% retroactive salary increase (effective January), an additional week of vacation for teachers, and a decree condoning debts, reducing credit amounts, and freezing interests for Fovissste credits—benefiting over 24,000 teachers with an investment exceeding 19 billion pesos.
