As teachers took to protest in the streets of Guadalajara, Jalisco Education Secretary Francisco Ayon Lopez has reiterated his position that there will be no second chances for the 183 teachers he fired.
The teachers were let go because they failed to attend the mandatory tests, which were part of the sweeping educational reforms introduced by President Enrique Peña Nieto.
Around 500 protestors gathered in the historic center to denounce the mass firing. The protestors blocked Avenida Hidalgo, causing traffic problems throughout the city center.
Yet Ayon Lopez is refusing to bow to pressure and has said that only two teachers had any chances of being reinstated, on the condition that they presented a medical note justifying their absence. The official said the education ministry had already found substitutes for all of the fired teachers.
“The authorities cannot give in to pressure, laws are made for all Mexicans, and it’s not for you to decide whether you want to comply with the law or not, the law is universal,” Ayon Lopez said. “Through this educational reform we are seeking to find the best teachers.”