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Paraguay: Educators threaten protests if government doesn't increase retirement quotas
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Culture & Society

Paraguay: Educators threaten protests if government doesn't increase retirement quotas

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Paraguayan educators are threatening protests if the Ministry of Education and Sciences (MEC) does not increase the number of teachers retiring this year.
  • The National Union of Educators (UNE) claims a prior agreement for 1,000 retirements was not met, with only 300 teachers and 21 administrative staff listed in the latest official publication.
  • Teachers who had retirements approved in 2026 are now facing delays until 2027, while others with earlier documentation must wait longer.

Teachers in Paraguay are threatening widespread protests if the Ministry of Education and Sciences (MEC) fails to honor an agreement to facilitate 1,000 retirements this year. The National Union of Educators (UNE) expressed strong discontent after the ministry published a list featuring only 300 retiring teachers and 21 administrative staff for the second stage of the academic year.

According to Rafael Resquín, president of the UNE, the government has broken a commitment made last year to allow 1,000 teachers to retire. He stated that the Ministry of Economy and Finance had previously assured them of additional retirements in September, with further discussions for 2026 or 2027. However, the MEC's resolution, dated July 31, blindsided the union.

The people from Economy assured us that there will be another list with 300 more retirements for September and after that we will continue talking for this 2026 or for 2027 probably.

— Silvio PirisThe president of the Federation of Educators of Paraguay (FEP) made a video circulating on social media and messaging apps regarding the situation.

Resquín criticized the MEC and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, noting that the latter's approval is necessary for these decisions. He highlighted that the MEC had previously approved the retirement of 1,245 educators in the first phase of the school year, a move that also followed union agreements. The union is particularly concerned about individuals whose retirements were approved in 2026 appearing on the recent list, while others with documentation from 2025 now face waiting until 2027.

The UNE warned that they would take to the streets if a swift response from the government to expand voluntary retirement quotas is not received. This situation follows a previous instance where the MEC approved the departure of 1,245 educators in the first stage of the school year, a decision that also came after agreements with sector unions.

We had already requested a meeting with the Minister of Economy (Óscar Lovera). He told us that he could not at that moment and now, without communication, the MEC issues this resolution of 300 people.

— Rafael ResquínThe president of the UNE lamented the government's decision not to fulfill the agreement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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