New classrooms demanded: Parents and students continue to block PY05 highway in Arroyito

Parents and students in Arroyito, Paraguay, have intensified their protest by intermittently blocking the PY05 highway, demanding urgent construction of new classrooms for the National College "Pablo Emiliano Quevedo Cordero." This marks the third week of demonstrations, highlighting a persistent issue that has disrupted traffic and drawn attention to the school's deteriorating infrastructure.

The demonstrators, including 75 enrolled students and their parents, are particularly concerned about the structural integrity of two classrooms, warning they are on the verge of collapse. The affected building dates back approximately 40 years, according to local residents. The urgency of their demand is underscored by the fact that recent rainfall prevented the protest on Monday morning, but the blockade resumed in the afternoon, causing significant vehicle backlogs.

Despite meetings with the departmental director of Education, Myrian Raquel Centurión, and the secretary of Education for the Concepción Governorate, Teresa Riella, no agreement has been reached. The protesters rejected a promise of repairs, insisting on the construction of new classrooms. Their signs clearly state the demand: "New classrooms, now!"

The protest is set to continue until a written agreement is secured, guaranteeing the construction of a new school building. The blockade, occurring at kilometer 122 of the PY05 route in the Arroyo de Oro area, approximately 91 kilometers east of Concepción city, remains a critical point of contention between the community and education authorities.