/ 22 August 2013

Mexico teachers block lawmakers from congress

Public school teachers block Reforma Avenue
Public school teachers block Reforma Avenue, near Senate chambers, in Mexico City on Tuesday. (Eduardo Verdugo, AP)

Hundreds of teachers have blocked the entrance to Mexico's Chamber of Deputies to prevent federal lawmakers from debating and voting on a set of rules to apply a recently approved overhaul of the education system.

Lawmakers decided on Wednesday evening to meet at a convention center, although they haven't yet convened.

The most contested part of the school reforms would create a professional system for hiring, evaluating and promoting teachers without the "discretionary criteria" currently used in a system in which teaching positions are often bought or inherited.

Protesting teachers tried to force their way into the chamber on Monday but were pushed back by federal police.

A teachers group has been protesting since last week by blocking traffic in already clogged streets in the capital. –AP