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Students Return to Classes in Bolivia Amidst Winter Measures
🇧🇴 Bolivia /Culture & Society

Students Return to Classes in Bolivia Amidst Winter Measures

From El Deber · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Approximately 200,000 students across Bolivia are returning to classes on Monday after a three-week winter recess.
  • Four departments, including La Paz, El Alto, Oruro, and Potosí, will maintain extended winter hours to protect students from low temperatures.
  • Cochabamba will require students to wear masks for at least two weeks to curb respiratory illnesses, while Santa Cruz expects favorable weather for the return.

Bolivian students are set to return to classrooms on Monday, July 27, following a three-week winter recess. Nearly 200,000 students nationwide will resume their education, but several regions are implementing measures to address lingering cold weather and health concerns.

In La Paz, El Alto, Oruro, and Potosí, educational authorities have decided to continue with extended winter hours. This decision aims to shield students and teachers from the prevailing low temperatures. The director of Education for La Paz, Víctor Hugo Sirpa, confirmed the extended schedule, citing analyses conducted with relevant institutions and district directors.

Having carried out an analysis with the relevant instances and the district directorates, we will still enter with the extended winter schedule.

— Víctor Hugo SirpaDirector of Education for La Paz, explaining the decision to maintain extended winter hours.

Meanwhile, Cochabamba will implement a mandatory mask policy for students for at least two weeks. This measure is intended to reduce the spread of herpangina and varicela, following recommendations from the Departmental Health Services (Sedes). Edgar Veizaga, the departmental director of Education, stated that the mask requirement is a precautionary step to ensure a healthy return to school.

In contrast, Santa Cruz anticipates a favorable return to classes, with forecasts predicting mild and sunny weather. Other departments, including Tarija, Chuquisaca, Beni, and Pando, are expected to announce their decisions regarding any additional measures in the coming hours. The Ministry of Education confirmed that the school year officially concluded its break on July 24.

Due to recommendations from Sedes, for at least two weeks we will oblige them to go to their educational centers with a mask.

— Edgar VeizagaDepartmental Director of Education in Cochabamba, detailing the mandatory mask policy.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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