Breaking News English

El Salvador is cracking [down / up] on school discipline. President Nayib Bukele has appointed a [firmer / former] army captain, Karla Trigueros, as education minister. She has started [inspection / inspecting] schools wearing army [fatigued / fatigues] . Ms Trigueros is also a physician and was head of the country's vaccination logistics [during / while] the coronavirus pandemic. One of her first edicts was [for / to] require all school principals to become role models. School heads will be required to greet students [has / as] they come through the school gates each morning. They will also [scrutinize / excoriate] pupils' haircuts and uniforms. Trigueros warned schools that "Failure to comply [at / with] these provisions...will be considered a serious [breach / broach] of administrative responsibility."

The [mainly / main] focus of El Salvador's new education initiative is [in / on] appearance and conduct. In particular, boys [are / be] required to have closely-cropped, military-style haircuts, [what / while] all students must wear tidy uniforms and greet [them / all] teachers respectfully. There has been mixed reaction to the new policy. A leading teachers' union called it a "regrettable militarization" [to / of] schools. It was concerned that the country was veering [back / forward] to the days of military dictatorship. It said: "We are concerned [this / that] the already endemic abuses of power against students will increase." However, many parents are supportive [of / to] the new rules. One said: "That’s how you [straight / straighten] children out from a young age."