Teachers groups to protest new charter schools

By THE STAR STAFF

The Teachers Federation and allied organizations will denounce government plans today to open dozens of new charter schools in Puerto Rico, reviving a decades’ debate.

The groups will explain how this model of privatization of public schools has been linked to corruption in other jurisdictions, by diverting public funds to private entities that seek profit, not a good education. These schools also discriminate against certain types of students, such as those from disadvantaged communities and those that have special needs.

“There is a need to establish a moratorium on the plan for new charter schools because they deviate public funds to private entities, turning education into a business,” the groups said in a statement.

The protest is slated to take place at the site of the construction of the Paradiso Charter School in Rio Piedras.