Calls for Resignation of Valparaíso Education Secretary Following Last-Minute Class Suspension Due to Rain

Original article: Piden renuncia de Seremi de Educación en Valparaíso: Avisó suspensión de clases por lluvias a solo minutos del inicio de la jornada escolar

Frustration is mounting among hundreds of families in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar after the Ministry of Education announced the cancellation of classes due to rain at 7:30 AM on Tuesday, July 21, just minutes before the school day began, catching many teachers, education staff, and students who had already arrived at their schools off guard.

Criticism had already surfaced the night before (Monday, July 20), when the Ministry of Education reported that classes would only be suspended in the provinces of Petorca and Marga Marga. This decision came despite weather forecasts predicting heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms for the coastal areas on Tuesday.

The weather warning proved accurate, leading authorities to reconsider their earlier decision after a night of intense rain and thunder, highlighting what many believe to be a lack of preparedness in handling the emergency.

From Congress, Deputy Francisca Bello (FA) directly pointed to Valparaíso’s Education Secretary, Juan Carlos Klenner, stating that he «failed to adequately respond to the regional emergency and should take political responsibility by resigning.»

«Hundreds of families had to scramble last minute to leave work or urgently find someone to pick up and care for their children. Not all families have support networks or employers willing to adjust their schedules. The government cannot treat an emergency as if it can be resolved with a phone call,» the legislator remarked.

Bello added, «This was not merely a communication issue. It was an irresponsible decision that compromised the safety and daily lives of thousands of families,» labeling the episode as «a concerning display of improvisation by the government of José A. Kast and a complete lack of understanding regarding the caregiving crisis, the impacts of which predominantly affect women.»

The Association of General Parents, Guardians, and Educators of Public Education in Valparaíso also released a statement expressing their dissatisfaction with how the class suspension was managed by authorities.

«The facts were known the day before. Weather forecasts clearly indicated that this Tuesday would be one of the toughest days during the frontal system,» they stated in the declaration.

«Our city was already reeling from several days of heavy rain; many families had been without electricity for five days; there were landslides in various hills, deteriorating streets, connectivity issues, and entire neighborhoods affected by the downpour. That was the reality faced by our communities and should have been considered when making decisions,» the parents’ organization added.

«Given that these factors were already known, the decision to suspend classes should have been made much earlier. It was unreasonable to keep thousands of families waiting until the last minute to find out whether or not they should send their children to school,» they emphasized.

«We demand that the authorities publicly explain why, with all this information and forecasts indicating a particularly complicated day, they waited until the last moment to suspend classes. The educational community deserves to know the criteria used to make a decision that created uncertainty and disorganization for thousands of households,» they asserted.

Finally, the Civil Society Council (Cosoc) of the Public Education Service in Valparaíso also issued a statement questioning the management of educational authorities in this matter.

«Decisions regarding class suspensions should be communicated well in advance, ideally before 6:00 AM, to avoid unnecessary travel for families and workers, and to ensure the respect and care that our educational communities deserve,» emphasized the Cosoc in Valparaíso.