Playa del Carmen Needs More Special Ed Teachers

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — Due to the city's dynamic growth and constant development, a new Center for Multiple Attention (CAM) is required here, along with more special education teachers to serve children in need, particularly those from the Villas del Sol area.

The City Has Grown Significantly in Recent Years

The Supervisor of Special Education for Zone 05, Liliana del Carmen Cuevas, explained that they currently serve more than 350 students across three facilities. However, many children travel from Villas del Sol to the city center, a commute that can take over an hour, and there is no more space for additional students.

"We have three buildings: the initial CAM, preschool, and primary school, which operate on two shifts; we have a CAM secondary school in Las Palmas and a vocational CAM located near the Transit office; we have approximately 350 children in our care… We have not yet managed to get another CAM. Playa del Carmen grew too fast; this CAM is now considered central, but Playa has expanded towards Villas del Sol. We have students who come from there; another CAM is needed," stated Cuevas.

Services Have Been Overwhelmed

She indicated that, in the Villas del Sol area, they have Support Service Units, which are special education teachers providing service in primary schools. However, the number has been overwhelmed by the current needs.

"In Villas del Sol, we have the Support Service Units; these are special education teachers in the primary schools to support children with disabilities. The area has grown considerably. Now that we are in the era of inclusion, we must respect the rights of students, meaning they have to be in a regular school with adequate conditions. We need an increase in special education teachers," Cuevas explained.