Quito deploys 3,333 uniformed personnel for return to school

Quito will put 3,333 uniformed municipal personnel into the streets for the return to school, a city operation covering 27,500 students in 20 municipal schools and 14 municipal early education centers.

The school year in Ecuador’s Sierra region begins on Sept. 1 under a staggered schedule. High-school students and children aged 3 and 4 will start that day. Students in upper basic education and first-grade preparatory classes will follow on Sept. 2, while middle and elementary basic education students will return on Sept. 3.

From Sept. 1 through 5, a unified command post will operate at the ECU 911 facilities from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Municipal departments will coordinate with the National Police and intervention teams across northern, central and southern Quito, the historic center and the valleys.

Traffic management and controls on unauthorized sales will focus on 15 surface-transit stops and 15 Quito Metro stations, especially San Francisco, Universidad Central and Iñaquito. Officials will also patrol busy commercial areas including Cotocollao, the Historic Center and Guajaló-Cablec.

Municipal schools will provide teams of doctors, dentists, nutritionists and psychologists. The education plan says those services have helped cut teenage pregnancies by 50% and eliminate school dropouts linked to such cases. It also includes monitoring for bullying and efforts to promote healthier packed lunches.