Chumpón parents block highway over school infrastructure and staffing issues

Parents in Chumpón blocked the Chumpón-Tepich highway on Thursday to protest conditions at the Jacinto Pat public primary school. The protesters demanded the completion of a school dome that has remained unfinished for two years, as well as the assignment of a first-grade teacher and more classroom furniture.

Currently, the school serves 36 students with only one teacher responsible for all six grade levels. This staffing shortage, combined with insufficient furniture, has made it difficult to accommodate all students in a single classroom. The blockade caused several hours of traffic delays, leaving dozens of vehicles and passenger buses stranded.

Cristina Torres Gómez, the state Secretary of Government, arrived at the scene to negotiate with the parents. She promised to manage the hiring of an additional teacher and to ensure the completion of the school dome. Following these commitments, the parents agreed to lift the blockade, though they warned they would resume protests if the promises are not fulfilled.