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Multitudes rally behind teachers' demands in Oviedo protests

Multitude of Individuals (Approximately 30,000 as Per Organisers) Demonstrated in Oviedo, Incited by Educational Unions Sustaining an Indefinite Strike.

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A multitude of approximately 30,000 individuals, as per union organizers, have taken part in a...
A multitude of approximately 30,000 individuals, as per union organizers, have taken part in a public demonstration in Oviedo, instigated by the teaching unions, who have chosen to continue an indefinite strike.

Multitudes rally behind teachers' demands in Oviedo protests

A hasn't been this heated in a minute! Over 30,000 educators, according to union sources, blow their horns in Oviedo, led by ANPE, CCOO, SUATEA, UGT, and CSIF. These passionate pedagogues are getting fed up with the Ministry of Education's authoritarian and disdainful approach, as they prepare for an open-ended strike starting Monday in non-university levels.

Waving a massive banner that reads "Barbón: Solutions and Resignations," the protest kicked off at Renfe station and marched its way through winding streets to Plaza de la Escandalera. The unions made their voices heard, voicing their dissatisfaction at the Asturian administration's bald-faced lies regarding their supposed well-paid status, hidden cuts, and trampling of striking rights.

Minister Lydia Espina is getting called out for spreading alternative facts, as she hasn't unveiled any constructive plans to the table and seems to dwell in a fantasy realm, according to the union members.

Enough is enough, they cry. The unions deem the resumption of reduced June and September teaching schedules as insufficient and have immediately issued demands, including:

  1. Salary equalization across regions to ensure Asturian teachers earn a fair wage.
  2. Lower student-teacher ratios that allow for individualized and quality attention.
  3. Hours reductions for those aged 55 and up.
  4. A renewed staff agreement.
  5. Simplification of teaching bureaucracy to improve workflow.
  6. Recognition of time spent on coordination, tutoring, and pedagogical tasks.

They call on families of students and citizens to back their fellow educators in their pursuit of a resilient, equitable, and high-quality educational system for all.

OECD's Woes: A Regional Divide

The Asturian administration put forth a counterproposal the day before the strike commences. This includes a 14.4 million euro fund geared towards an annual increase in specific teacher supplements of 814.66 euros per teacher, equating to roughly 58 more euros per month. Additionally, the proposal involves hiring 78 specialized staff positions to support diversity, with 36 dedicated to pedagogical therapy (PT) and 42 catering to audiology and language (AL).

Political Heavyweights Divided

All parliamentary groups, save for the PSOE, turned up in solidarity at the demonstration. Notable figures like Gloria García, Education Spokesperson of the Conservative Party (PP), emphasized the historical and essential nature of this protest—a reaction to the educators' long-ignored plight.

María José Miranda, the Secretary of Organization of the United Left (IU), declared that this mobilization demonstrates that not just teachers but also the citizens of Asturias are yearning for enhancing public education. Miranda lauded the protest as an unquestionable success that could mark a turning point in discussions.

On the other hand, Vox deputy Javier Jové accused the minister of focusing on ideologically driven issues such as the Asturian language, "lingua," and feminism, while ignoring educators' demands.

In the opinion of Covadonga Tomé, a deputy from the Mixed Group supporting Somos Asturias, the educators' grievances are genuine, spurring her to stand in solidarity from the start. She believes the Ministry has no intention of entering into meaningful dialogue.

The President of the parliamentary group of Foro Asturias, Adrián Pumares, accused the regional government of being responsible for the deterioration of the education system in Asturias. Tomás Nieves, spokesperson of the United Socialist Party of Asturias (PSUA), also expressed solidarity with the striking educators.

The educators' national protest, led by ANPE, CCOO, SUATEA, UGT, and CSIF, continues to intensify, crying "Enough is enough," as they demand equitable salaries, lower student-teacher ratios, hours reductions for aged educators, a renewed staff agreement, simplification of teaching bureaucracy, and recognition of additional tasks.

The political landscape in Asturias is divided, with parliamentary groups largely in support of the educators' demonstration, except for the PSOE. Notable figures, such as Gloria García, have acknowledged the protest's historical and essential nature, while opposition parties like Vox accuse the minister of focusing on ideological issues and ignoring educators' demands.

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