Students, teachers, staff, and union members from the Costa Rica five public universities plan to march on Wednesday in San José City, in protest of the Rodrigo Chaves administration's budget cuts.

The university budget, also known as the Special Fund for Higher Education (FEES), may be addressed by Congress on Wednesday.

Protesters are seeking an increase in the education budget for public universities such as Costa Rica University (UCR), National University (UNA), Technological University (TEC), Distance University (UNED), and National Tech University (UTN).

The universities federations urge students to march around two kilometers down San José's main streets beginning at 8 a.m.

The action will start at the Merced Catholic Church located at 2nd Ave. and 12 St. and end at the Democracy Square located between 1st and 2nd Ave. in downtown San José.

 

According to Finance Minister Nogui Acosta Jaén, the government intends to increase the budget by 1%, or around $10 million. The constrained budget was a direct result of budget cuts issued by the Congress.

Students and university employees protested the government's decision by marching through the streets.

Traffic officials encourage drivers to avoid crossing San José City during the march's scheduled hours.  Officers will be stationed at strategic points along Second Avenue to redirect vehicles.

Costa Rica passed the "Law to Provide Legal Security on the Strikes," in 2020, which bans public employee strikes.

The legislation governs and categorizes important public services, and strikes are prohibited.

The public education sector is crucial, and the new rule would require workers to maintain regular operations at public schools, high schools, and universities, without canceling lessons.
 

The rule also restricts the duration of public employee strikes to 10 days and forbids marches in public areas.

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What initiatives should the government take to reach an agreement with the universities?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com