Seven Thousand Teachers Lose 200-Day Bonus

APPROXIMATELY 7,000 teachersat public schools have already lost their200-day bonus to be paid in September,the daily La Nación reported.The instructors lose the bonus,which is equivalent to 168% of onemonth’s salary, if they are absent formore than 26 days from the 200-dayworking school year.In 2004, 10% of teachers did notreceive the bonus. This year, PublicEducation Ministry official FernandoAlfaro told the daily he estimates 13%would not get their bonuses.The Public Education Ministry beganawarding the bonuses when the schoolyear went from 174 days to 200 in 1998,La Nación reported.