Absenteeism marks return to classes at Durango school after intimidating vandalism

Colegio Inglés de Durango reopened for the new school year, but many classrooms began with students absent. Parents chose not to send their children after vandals spray-painted messages on the school’s facade and left a funeral wreath and rose-like petals in a garden.

Teachers and administrative staff reported for work at the private school in the Villas del Río development. Gloria Imelda Félix Niebla, an official with Sinaloa’s education authorities, said there were no reports of injuries or threats linked to the vandalism.

The school received special surveillance as authorities deployed security operations at schools across the state’s 20 municipalities. The state education department said the acts had intimidated many families and condemned them.

Security authorities said young people had arrived in a vehicle on Sunday night, got out on Villas del Río Boulevard and painted the messages before placing the funeral floral arrangement. Officials also urged parents to follow traffic directions around schools, where transit personnel were present.