PR-Inside.com: Puerto Rico struggles with aftermath of teacher strike
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – A 10-day teachers’ strike has left the already-beleaguered Puerto Rico schools scrambling to make up instruction, repair property damage and deal with a loss in federal funds, the U.S. territory’s education secretary said Friday.
Almost US$5 million (€3.24 million) was withheld for government-subsidized student meals that were not served during the strike, Rafael Aragunde said.
Nearly US$50,000 (€32,432) worth of school property was damaged, although it was unclear who was responsible. Gas lines were cut, water pipes destroyed and cars vandalized, he said.
Aragunde met Friday with 89 school superintendents to talk about revising the school calendar to make up the lost instruction. At least 38 schools will hold classes during two upcoming holidays.
Psychologists from various universities have been called in to meet with parents, teachers and students affected by the strike, which was announced Feb. 20 after 30 months of negotiations for better salaries and working conditions fell through.
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