On Tuesday, a group of academics and students denounced an abuse of the Guaraní language by the authorities of the Ministry of Education and Sciences (MEC). This, because it does not appear in the National Plan for Educational Transformation.
Delegates from the Higher Institute of Languages, dependent on the Faculty of Philosophy (UNA), David Galeano, director of the Paraguayan Athenaeum who is also a member of the Academy of the Guaraní Language, were also present.
They also denounced that Guaraní was eliminated from the public competitions for teachers called by the MEC.
Miguel Marecos, president of the National Union of Directors (Sinadi), and one of the participants in the day, reported that the demonstration was peaceful. In it, a note was delivered to the Minister of Education Juan Manuel Brunetti requesting an urgent meeting in the form of the technical table between all the actors.
“They have not yet summoned those from the Guaraní language academy, nor those from the Ateneo to be part of the educational transformation agenda,” he lamented.
COMPETITION
The “none” to the Guaraní language not only happens because of its non-inclusion in the National Plan for Educational Transformation, but also because of its exclusion in the last opposition competition for teachers’ merits.
“It was not included in any item between the questions. 35,000 teachers applied to take the exam, but none of the 40 questions was in Guarani. In general, they are usually between 5 and 10. That means that there is discrimination against the language, ”he said.
The position was for level 1 teachers (of classrooms). The best scores will occupy a bank of eligible, because there will be many new retirees and they will leave vacancies. Last Friday the evaluation ended and it consisted of a written test, then the defense of projects orally.
Now the call from the MEC will be awaited for the celebration of the aforementioned technical table. In case of not having a call, Marecos warns that a larger mobilization will be called in the departmental capitals.
ATHENAEUM
David Galeano, president of the Ateneo de Lengua y Cultura Guaraní del Paraguay, expressed for his part that they need Guaraní to have the same treatment as English and other languages. In this sense, I know that there are many legislative actions in favor of foreign languages, but not of the second official language of our country.
“Teachers must master Guarani to teach other subjects to some children who only speak that language. We are not optimistic about what the Ministry of Education is doing,” he questioned.
NO ANSWERS
We tried to talk to Juan Manuel Brunetti, Minister of Education (MEC), to find out his version of these events, but he did not respond to our messages or calls.
