The Citizen Educational Observatory expressed its concern about the parliamentary initiative for the repeal of the agreement with the European Union.
The Citizen Educational Observatory It is a space for information, analysis and dissemination of the educational reality of the country, to contribute to the improvement of education, decision-making, citizen participation and incidence in public policies. It is made up of Together for Education, Seeds for Democracy, Federation of Neighborhood Entities of Paraguay, FEDEM, Civilab, Global infancy, Sunu Intercultural Action Group, San Alfonso-M2 Lions Club, Center for Environmental and Social Studies, CEAMSO, Center for Information and Resources for Development, CIRD, Enseña por Paraguay, Multidisciplinary Organization to Support Teachers and Students, OMAPA, Melodía Cultural Center, Paraguay Educa, Fundación Dequeni, TEDIC, El Cántaro Bioescuela Popular and AFS Paraguay.
These organizations expressed their Deep concern at the approval, by the Chamber of Deputies, of the repeal of Law No. 6659/20 on Cooperation between the European Union and the Republic of Paraguay in education, and they assured that it is the result of a campaign of manipulation and misinformation generated based on political-partisan interests.
“This parliamentary initiative further reduces educational funding, limiting, among other aspects, access to school meals, infrastructure and equipment for educational institutions, educational kits and materials, violating rights, deepening the gaps and needs of the most vulnerable sectors of the Paraguayan population and deteriorate the conditions for the construction of quality public policies”, they considered.
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They highlighted through a statement that evidences the lack of ethical commitment to the current educational context, debts and historical lags in access and educational quality, which, added to the new and recent challenges, configures this crisis, in one of the most urgent and legitimate emergencies of the Paraguayan state and society.
“In a country context with the lowest levels of educational investment in the region and the world, international cooperation has been essential for development, achieving significant progress and contributions in strengthening our institutions and public policies. More than 30 years ago, and throughout five governments, the European Union has become one of Paraguay’s main partnersestablishing political ties, technical cooperation, economic and commercial relations, based on common principles and values of democracy, human rights, regional integration and deep respect for our cultures, self-determination and independence”, they indicated.
The organizations assured that the European Union is a key partner for strengthening civil society in its capacities for participation, surveillance, control and monitoring of the management of public resources, government institutions and public policies, promoting transparency, the reduction of corruption and discretion.
They urged citizens to be informed and participate actively and democratically, raising their voices about these decisions and their implications for public education and the future of our country, based on trustworthy and reliable sources of information. To journalists and the media, to provide truthful and verified information to deal with the scourge of misinformation, promoting the construction of meanings and actions that favor democratic participation and the construction of public goods. To the churches, to promote the joint search for the greatest good for citizens, especially in the most vulnerable contexts, and to renew their commitment in the fight for the right to quality education for all. To the authorities, to fulfill their responsibility with an ethical commitment, exercising their constitutional function through evidence-based management, promoting participation, informed dialogue, deliberation and convergence of interests for the construction of quality public education.
