The President of the Balearic government, Jose Maria Bauza, rounded on striking teachers yesterday saying that it was “wrong and irresponsible” to “use” chidren in demonstrations and protests.
He was speaking yesterday on the third day of the strike over the Balearic government´s plans to introduce a new language education system (English, Catalan and Castillan).
“I respect the wishes of those who want to strike but we must also respect the wishes of those parents who want to take their children to school,” said Bauza. On Tuesday police were forced to moved in after a group of pupils tried to stop their classmates going to lessons.
“I understand and respect that there are teachers who do not support our education plan and our ideas and therefore they protest. But Monday´s demonstration was not a protest by teachers it was a protest by teachers and students. And this is wrong,” he said.
The Balearic government has come under pressure to open talks with the teachers who are threatened indefinite strike action against the education plan. They claim that they do not have the necessary resources or manpower to teach in three languages.
President blasts teachers over children in protests
GERMAN G. LAMA