What is SUTEP and why are they joining the demonstrations in Peru?

Peru continues to go through one of the most difficult episodes since the beginning of Pedro Castillo's government. Since the end of 2021, there were warnings about the scenarios that would arise if the authorities did not listen to the people, especially those affected by the rise in the price of fuel and tolls. This was the preamble to the start of the transport strike, which added other groups, including ordinary citizens, and in the last hours the progress of SUTEP was confirmed.

If we talk about the context and history of the demonstrations in the country, this union has an important presence, covering the streets with posters calling for active action by political actors who must prioritize the welfare of citizens, without distinction whatsoever.

Important: Lucio Castro, general secretary of SUTEP, announced a mobilization for Thursday, April 7, which aims to demand that the Pedro Castillo government comply with its commitments. In a communication with Cana N, the representative indicated that this march will not affect classes.

WHAT DOES SUTEP MEAN?

Its unique interpretation is the Unitary Union of Workers in Education of Peru, an organization that brings together teachers who work in public schools. According to its history, the emergence takes place in the midst of the economic crisis that the country was experiencing during the first government of Belaúnde. His training was based on three important pillars: free unionism, the surrender of reformism and the dispersion of teachers' unions by levels.

Already by the 1970s two currents were formed, which at the same time confronted each other. These were:

The Classist Teachers' Front (FCM): it was responsible for promoting classism within the teaching profession, but prioritized the orientation of its struggles to the political-ideological aspect, moving away from concrete demands.

The Magisterial Committee for Unification and Struggle (COMUL): this proposed maintaining unity in the struggle and from its grassroots; the disappearance of unions by levels and the formation of the Single Unions. With that basis as a context, the SUTEs emerged, with greater force in 1971, carrying as a shield the COMUL program and plan of struggle.

On July 6, 1972, the union was officially born at the Congress for the Unification of Teachers held in Cusco, with the fundamental objective of unifying, fighting and conquering demands for the Peruvian teachers and people. The main actors in this were the teachers themselves, who were looking for a new direction in the 1970s.

His history of formation to the present day was divided into two chapters: before legal recognition (from 1972 to 1984) and after legal recognition (from 1984). From these stages, important events were recorded for the country's members, such as the National Strike of October 24, where more than 500 teachers were imprisoned; amendment of laws in favor of educators, “reductionist curricular reform” in the Frujimori government; the granting of special bonuses in the mandate of Valentín Paniagua, among other facts.

WHAT IS THE STRUGGLE OF SUTEP?

At present, and celebrating 50 years of struggle, SUTEP has detected some entities that seek to stop their activities and divide the union. According to its official publication, “these sectors do not hesitate to pit teachers against teachers by calling for adventurous actions, apart from organic agreements and focusing their attacks on CEN and not against the common enemy, the bosses”.

This state that has been described as “worrying and difficult” must have a change, which would be achieved through self-criticism as leaders, and thus implement corrective measures in order to regain unity and institutionality.

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