City gov't: Schools takeovers based on ‘illegitimate claim’

While the takeover of 32 City high schools by disrupted students against a curricular reform promoted by the Government of the City of Buenos Aires continues, the Education Minister, Esteban Bullrich, indicated that “protesters have no legitimate claim.”

Speaking to AM Radio 10, the City official said: "In 2010, there was a legitimate claim when they took over several schools in order to ask for solving some construction problems there were in school buildings. Though it was a bad way to claim, it was legitimate. In this case there’s no legitimate claim."

"Our main goal is to recover the education system through its authorities. We need the school to once again become a place of respect, a place that seeks to teach, so the worst way to defend such an institution is by closing its doors", Bullrich said.

Likewise, the City minister added: "What matters most to me is that all schools remain open. We are calling for rationality, otherwise we are destroying the public education system."

Furthermore, Bullrich insisted that the take-overs are being conducted by b” left-wing groups and sectors related to the national government."

Regarding the claim of the students –against an educational reform, Bullrich stressed: "We believe we are taking a step in order to modernize the educational curriculum. These changes are not thought to affect the students. They have to trust the adults who take these measures."