BRIEFS. education

Union leaders mad about meeting

Members of the Frente de Acción Magisterial (FAM), a teacher's union, said they were "disgusted" after a meeting with Ministerio de Educación officials failed to resolve any of their concerns.

Union leader Andrés Rodríguez said that the meeting was called to discuss the numerous problems facing the country's schools, including lack of supplies and buildings that are in need of renovations. Another pressing issue is how the government plans to make up for missed class time at schools that have not been able to open.

The meeting got off to a bad start as Ministro de Educación Belgis Castro was unable to attend. In her absence, the meeting was handled by viceministra Zonia de Smith, "who had no idea why we were meeting," Rodríguez said.

The union had presented Castro with a number of options for making up the missed class time. The union is concerned that teachers will be required to work during vacations.

Rodríguez plans to return to the ministry today to try and meet directly with Castro.