Education Department faces backlash over unpaid salaries and regulatory violations for teachers
January 31, 2024 | Senate, Committees, Legislative, Puerto Rico
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On January 31, 2024, the Commission on Education, Tourism, and Culture convened to address significant issues regarding the Department of Education's compliance with Law 9 of 2022. The meeting highlighted ongoing concerns about delayed payments to teachers and failures in fulfilling legal obligations.
Key discussions revealed that the Department of Education has not met the required timelines for reporting and funding requests, leaving approximately 7,900 teachers unpaid for the years 2014 and 2015. This situation has raised alarms, as many affected educators include both active and retired teachers, with some even deceased. The department has indicated potential payments for retirees but has not addressed the rights of descendants of deceased teachers to inherit these benefits.
The meeting also addressed the retroactive payments owed to 952 teachers who activated their status between 2013 and 2015 but only received recognition in 2023. The department is reportedly behind on payments that were due as of September 1, 2023, which amounts to about two months of owed compensation.
In addition to financial concerns, the commission discussed violations of the regulations governing the teaching profession. The Department of Education has been criticized for losing important documents due to environmental issues, despite regulations stating that school superintendents are responsible for maintaining copies of these records. This has led to unnecessary burdens on teachers who must resubmit documentation.
The commission also noted that the division responsible for teacher certifications lacks adequate staffing, hindering its ability to comply with the law. Teachers have reported difficulties accessing platforms necessary for managing their professional development plans, which further complicates their ability to adjust salary scales based on completed evaluations.
Overall, the commission's discussions underscored a systemic failure within the Department of Education to adhere to legal requirements and fulfill its obligations to educators. The meeting concluded with calls for immediate action to rectify these issues and ensure that teachers receive the compensation and support they are entitled to under the law. The commission plans to continue monitoring the situation and expects further updates in future sessions.
Key discussions revealed that the Department of Education has not met the required timelines for reporting and funding requests, leaving approximately 7,900 teachers unpaid for the years 2014 and 2015. This situation has raised alarms, as many affected educators include both active and retired teachers, with some even deceased. The department has indicated potential payments for retirees but has not addressed the rights of descendants of deceased teachers to inherit these benefits.
The meeting also addressed the retroactive payments owed to 952 teachers who activated their status between 2013 and 2015 but only received recognition in 2023. The department is reportedly behind on payments that were due as of September 1, 2023, which amounts to about two months of owed compensation.
In addition to financial concerns, the commission discussed violations of the regulations governing the teaching profession. The Department of Education has been criticized for losing important documents due to environmental issues, despite regulations stating that school superintendents are responsible for maintaining copies of these records. This has led to unnecessary burdens on teachers who must resubmit documentation.
The commission also noted that the division responsible for teacher certifications lacks adequate staffing, hindering its ability to comply with the law. Teachers have reported difficulties accessing platforms necessary for managing their professional development plans, which further complicates their ability to adjust salary scales based on completed evaluations.
Overall, the commission's discussions underscored a systemic failure within the Department of Education to adhere to legal requirements and fulfill its obligations to educators. The meeting concluded with calls for immediate action to rectify these issues and ensure that teachers receive the compensation and support they are entitled to under the law. The commission plans to continue monitoring the situation and expects further updates in future sessions.
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