Teachers' Strike Leaves 127,000 Students Out of Class in Oaxaca's Isthmus

An indefinite strike by teachers from Section 22 of the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE) has left approximately 127,000 basic education students in Oaxaca's Isthmus region without classes. Starting Monday, nearly 1,600 preschool, primary, and secondary schools across 51 municipalities in the region remained closed, with no teachers or students present.

The regional leader for the teachers' union, José Ángel Santiago Pineda, stated that 80 percent of teachers from the Isthmus have traveled to the state capital, Oaxaca City, while the remaining 20 percent have gone to Mexico City, as per the union's directive. The normally bustling streets around schools during drop-off times were eerily quiet, with street vendors who typically operate near the schools also absent.

School buildings are now vulnerable to theft, with reports of stolen windows, electrical wiring, and copper piping. The duration of the strike remains uncertain, with some speculating it could last until after the FIFA World Cup. The empty classrooms, which have been unused since Friday, are beginning to gather dust, and cleaning and security staff are also not working.

The strike has significantly impacted the daily life of the Isthmus region, disrupting education and affecting local commerce. The teachers' action is part of a broader mobilization, with reports of clashes between police and CNTE members in Oaxaca City.

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80 percent of Isthmus teachers traveled to the Oaxacan capital and the remaining 20 percent traveled to Mexico City