Colombia clarifies status of pensioned teachers working in schools

The Colombian government has addressed concerns regarding pensioned teachers who continue to work in official educational institutions. Vice President José Manuel Restrepo issued a statement to reassure the teaching community, clarifying that there are no immediate measures to remove teachers who currently receive a pension while remaining employed.

The controversy arose from discussions regarding potential modifications to the conditions under which retired public servants may remain in their positions. The Ministry of National Education explained that the ability to receive both a salary and a pension depends on the specific legal regime governing each teacher.

Specifically, educators under Decree 2277 of 1979 are permitted to receive their pension and continue working under established regulations. However, teachers under Decree 1278 are subject to different rules regarding the compatibility of pensions and salaries, which remains a central point of the current debate.