160 teaching positions vacant with 2nd semester set to begin

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón visited the headquarters of the Department of Education on Tuesday to meet with the agency’s designated secretary, Eliezer Ramos Parés, and its work team in order to evaluate the status of public schools prior to today’s start of the second semester of the 2024-2025 school year.

As I said in December, for the return of classes, I can take 100 percent responsibility for all schools being ready [next] August, but obviously, now in office and on the sixth day as governor, I have come here to meet with the secretary of education to find out the status of the schools,” González Colón said at a press conference. “What events have occurred in the month of December? Which schools are in good condition? Some will not be ready due to electrical, water or construction problems.”

During the meeting, the impact of 49 schools still under construction due to structural problems with short columns was discussed. Some of those schools will not be fully operational until February. In addition, 160 vacancies for teachers and 320 for school cafeteria employees were identified. “This does not prevent the return to classes from beginning, but alternative plans have been established to meet needs in the affected educational regions,” the governor added.