Andina

Peru President stands by Education Min

LIMA PERÚ, DICIEMBRE 18. Presidente Kuczynski tomó juramento a Marilú Martens como ministra de Educación. Foto: ANDINA/Prensa Presidencia

LIMA PERÚ, DICIEMBRE 18. Presidente Kuczynski tomó juramento a Marilú Martens como ministra de Educación. Foto: ANDINA/Prensa Presidencia

14:19 | Piura (Piura region), Aug. 17.

Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski on Thursday reiterated his full support to Education Minister Marilu Martens, summoned by the opposition-led Congress to account for measures to end ongoing teacher strikes.

"I maintain my support to the [Education] Minister and to all Ministers without a doubt," the Head of State affirmed while supervising post-disaster reconstruction works in northern Piura region.

Regarding the current protests, the statesman underlined government actions to improve public school teachers' working conditions. 

These include a recently-announced 30% pay raise for educators, which increases their base salary from S/1,350 (about US$416) to S/2,000 (about US$617).

In this sense, Mr. Kuczynski noted his administration is thus keeping its presidential campaign pledge, while highlighting the measure represents the first significant salary increase for Peruvian teachers in the past 11 years. 
 
Lastly, the top official said the government has listened to teachers' concerns and will continue to do, addressing not only salaries but other issues like pensions as well.

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Published: 8/17/2017