Students in Nicaragua Call Off Education Strike

MANAGUA – The NationalUniversity Council agreed Wednesdaynight to call off the 24-day student strike,following the government’s offer toincrease next year’s proposed educationbudget by an additional 139.4 million córdobas($8.8 million).The additional funding brings nextyear’s education budget to $59.6 million –the 6% of the public spending budget thestudents had been demanding. The governmentand students had disagreed overthe budget calculations, with the SupremeCourt siding with the students.When the government initially refusedto pay the amount the Court decided on,students took to the streets and clashedviolently with police for several days lastmonth (TT, May 21, June 4).