A teacher in Panama City chained herself to the entrance of a regional education office on Thursday, demanding an immediate investigation into alleged retaliation she faces for reporting misconduct. Iris Kwiers, a teacher at the Instituto Comercial Panamá, began her protest at 10:30 a.m. at the Panama Centro Regional office of the Ministry of Education of Panama.
Kwiers claims she has endured years of persecution, harassment, and verbal abuse from administrators after she reported two separate cases of alleged irregularities at her school in 2020. She stated she would remain chained in place until the ministry intervenes to stop the hostile work environment she describes.
Allegations of Retaliation for Whistleblowing
The educator’s complaints center on the alleged wrongful termination of one colleague and a separate case of a teacher receiving a salary without performing work duties. Kwiers, who has taught at the Instituto Comercial Panamá since 2018, says the professional reprisals against her have only intensified since she came forward. She told reporters the harassment has become unbearable in recent months.
“I can’t take it anymore,” Kwiers said to local newspaper El Siglo. [Translated from Spanish] She added that the harassment “gets worse every day.”
Her dramatic public demonstration is an escalation of a formal complaint she and other separated teachers previously filed. The protest aims to force the ministry to address what she calls a complete lack of due process and accountability within the institution’s administration. Officials have not yet publicly commented on the specific allegations she raised during the protest.
Calls for Immediate Government Action
Kwiers vowed to maintain her position through the weekend if necessary. She insists her action is a last resort after exhausting standard grievance channels. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between some educators and administrative bodies within Panama’s public education system.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of other public sector disputes in Panama, including recent debates over healthcare integration. The teacher’s protest directly challenges the Ministry of Education to investigate internal governance and whistleblower protection at one of its vocational schools. The ministry now faces mounting pressure to respond publicly and resolve the escalating conflict.
As of Thursday afternoon, Kwiers remained at the ministry’s regional office. Her protest has drawn attention from passing citizens and fellow educators. The ministry’s next steps will determine whether this remains an isolated demonstration or sparks broader dialogue about teacher protections and administrative transparency.
@ir.noticias Profe Ires Kwiers Asprilla denuncia acoso laboral por el director del Instituto Comercial Panamá Marco Aurelio Ortega Allen.
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