He Mayor of Antofagasta, Jonathan Velásquezannounced the opening of a summary and the suspension of the educational staff of the Municipal Social Development Corporation (CMDS), after the suicide last week of teacher Katherine Yomawho had previously reported attacks and threats in the School D-68 José Papicwhere he worked teaching English.

The communal chief confirmed the measures during this Wednesday’s session of the Municipal Council.

«I must communicate that I have ordered that a exhaustive disciplinary investigation of the director and general inspector of establishment D-68and those who are involved, inviting the aforementioned institutions to participate in this work.»

He thus asked the mayor for the support of the Superintendency of Education, the Mutual Security Agency and other entities that participated in an investigation last year, when the teacher’s complaint became known.

«In addition, I ordered the director of education, the basic education coordinator, and the director of human resources of the CMDS to be removed from their duties.with an investigation that will have a maximum period of 30 days to obtain a resolution in this way to apply the corresponding sanctions,» added Velásquez.

«IT IS NOT ENOUGH», STATE TEACHERS, WHO MAINTAIN A STOP OF «DROPPED ARMS»

In parallel, hundreds of teachers, education assistants and directors of municipal schools in Antofagasta demonstrated this day, blocking traffic near the front of the municipality, to demand justice and resignations from the leadership of the school involved and the CMDS.

For this reason, the measures announced by the mayor «today do not satisfy the demands of the workers,» he stated. Ivette Gareca, president of the Antofagasta Union of Teachers and Education Professionals.

«A summary investigation is not enough«It is not enough that they are suspended from duties, because these people, while they are away from their duties, will continue to receive remuneration,» he lashed out.

«They are trusted people of the mayor,» He pointed out, therefore – he stated – «he can take other decisive actions: he has previously taken them with workers in the same municipality, in the Corporation; therefore, that does not solve our problem today, and it is expected that be the resignation of all of them.»

He teaching union will maintain the «sitting arms» strike, and for this Thursday he called other unions to join a great march. On Friday, meanwhile, an assembly will be held to analyze steps to follow after this week’s actions, without ruling out calling for an indefinite strike.