The National Learning Service (SENA) in Casanare joined the strike that is currently taking place throughout Colombia, the protest that is led by teachers, instructors and students, seeks to stop the progress of the reform project of the Statutory Law of Education that has It has already been through three debates in the Congress of the Republic. This reform, according to the protesters, compromises the essence of Law 115 of 1994 and affects articles 54 and 64 of the Political Constitution of Colombia, which guarantee education as a right.
Engineer César Peñuela, Sena instructor, explained that the reform aims for SENA to depend on the Ministry of Education, mixing higher education with training for work and informal education. Peñuela believed that this merger is not only unnecessary, but dangerous, since it dilutes the specific mission of SENA, which has been to offer differentiated technical and technological education to the most disadvantaged sectors. “SENA has been a fundamental pillar for the training of more than 68% of disadvantaged Colombians, and this reform threatens to dismantle that structure,” said Peñuela.
Maikol Leal, leader of human talent management technologist at SENA Casanare, pointed out that the reform could mean the privatization of SENA and the end of the free education it offers. “The reform imposes requirements that many of our students, especially those in rural areas, will not be able to meet. This will seriously affect equity and access to education,” said Leal. In addition, she emphasized that SENA not only provides technical training, but also facilitates the job placement of its graduates, many of whom come from vulnerable socioeconomic contexts.
The protest in Casanare is part of a synchronized movement at the national level, with 32 regional and 117 SENA training centers that are participating in the strike.
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