AMPR meets with governor to demand action on teachers’ claims

By The Star Staff

Governor Jenniffer Aidyn González Colón met with the Puerto Rico Teachers Association (AMPR) and its Union Local to discuss pressing demands from the teaching profession, including overdue payments under the Teachers’ Career Program, the pension situation of active educators, the deterioration of schools in the southern region, and support for legislative initiatives aimed at restoring rights previously eliminated for teachers.

AMPR president, Professor Víctor Manuel Bonilla Sánchez, stressed that teachers cannot continue facing delays in the fulfillment of their rights. “We know the teaching profession has endured years of unkept promises and lack of action. Our demand has been clear: urgent justice for those who have dedicated their lives to educating generations. It is time to move forward with clarity and commitment; we need concrete and measurable results. Teachers cannot keep waiting—there is no room for further delays,” he said in a written statement.

The governor acknowledged the backlog in Teachers Career payments and confirmed that the matter is one of her immediate priorities. She noted that she will meet with Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés to outline a disbursement plan, which could be executed in phases.

Union leaders also called for immediate action in the reconstruction of southern schools damaged by the 2020 earthquakes. González Colón affirmed that the issue is among her top priorities and requested that AMPR submit specific recommendations regarding the most affected school communities.

Another issue discussed was the retirement system for active teachers. AMPR presented a proposal that revisits ideas put forward during a 2022 dialogue table. The governor committed to resuming talks on the matter.

Professor Ángel Javier Pérez Hernández, secretary general of the Union Local, emphasized the importance of addressing the living conditions of retired teachers. “One of our priorities is ensuring that once teachers retire, they can live with dignity. We reminded the governor that we cannot accept educators receiving pensions below one thousand dollars. We have presented concrete proposals and data. We trust that the Executive will demonstrate a clear will to advance real solutions. Teachers value dialogue deeply, but they expect it to translate into concrete results, with clear timelines for compliance,” he stated.

During the meeting, concerns were also raised about the renewal of teachers’ health insurance plans, amid the risk that many could lose coverage in September. González Colón instructed her team to establish direct communication with the Health Insurance Administration (ASES) to evaluate alternatives.

The governor underscored the role of AMPR and expressed openness to future meetings, while the union reiterated its commitment to maintaining active oversight and pressing for immediate action on teachers’ demands.