By The Star Staff
Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón described as “correct” the appointment made by Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia of Dr. Ángel Toledo López as secretary of education.
“The governor identified an excellent, disciplined, diligent resource with full mastery and a track record in academic and administrative matters,” González Colón said over the weekend. “I have personally known Dr. Toledo for more than 20 years and attest to his professionalism, work ethic, integrity and diligence. I congratulate Dr. Toledo for this appointment, I trust that we will work as a team in defense of an excellent public education for our students.”
González Colón added that “I hope that the Senate will address his appointment as one of the priorities of the new legislative session, based on merit and not on political agendas.”
“His confirmation should not be delayed since Education has several challenges such as its transformation hand-in-hand with the federal government, for which I have met and maintained communication with [U.S. Education] Secretary [Miguel] Cardona, and the attention to the special education program, among others.”
“I thank the former Secretary of Education, Eliezer Ramos Parés, for his commitment to Education and the handling of multiple federal accusations that he inherited in the Department,” the resident commissioner added.
The governor announced on Friday that he had received Ramos Parés’ resignation, which was effective immediately.
Ramos Parés said “I deeply appreciate the opportunity to have served Puerto Rico [as] secretary of Education in historic times and amid great challenges.”
“We have managed to initiate transcendent changes that will allow public education to advance and so that our children and young people have advances in their formation” he said. “I am also proud of the work of tens of thousands of colleagues, including classroom teachers, who demonstrate the true spirit of public service through their work.”