MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolivia: Arce not wanted back to his teaching position

Arce has been randomly teaching either on-site or virtually, which further annoyed students

Leaders of the Bolivian University Confederation (CUB), grouping college students, formally requested that President Luis Arce Catacora not return to his teaching position in the Economics Department at the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA).

In letters to the university's dean and department director, they argued that Arce was responsible for the country's economic crisis due to his “poor administrative management,” which caused fuel shortages, negatively affecting transport, commerce, and the cost of basic goods. The students believe Arce's presence would damage the university's image.

They were also critical of Arce's teaching practices, stating that he has taught a mix of virtual and in-person classes for the past five years, which has caused discontent among students. If their request is not met, the student leaders have warned they may occupy the faculty and department as a form of protest. Although not unanimous, the decision to send the letters was made by the CUB's Executive Committee.

“At the same time, we request that the professor's teaching load be suspended in order to clean up the image of our university for the benefit of the university community and Bolivian identity as a whole,” read a note signed by CUB Vice Presidents Henry Blanco and Hugo Quispe.

UMSA is not to be confused with Buenos Aires' Universidad del Museo Social Argentino, which also uses the same acronym.