
With the goal of providing job security and legal certainty to thousands of substitute teachers, the Legislative Assembly approved, with 60 votes, a decree of transitional provisions that will allow their incorporation into permanent teaching positions through the Salary Law.
The measure establishes that teachers with appointment agreements as substitutes valid until december 31, 2026, will be able to access a permanent position starting January 1, 2027. This provision seeks to guarantee job stability for educators who have worked for years under temporary contracts.
The decree also includes the suspension of the publication of vacant positions for the 2026 teacher recruitment processes, to facilitate the transition process for substitute teachers to permanent positions, avoiding duplication of administrative processes and ensuring an orderly implementation of the measure.
The Human Development Directorate of the Ministry of Education will be responsible for implementing and overseeing the decree. Its functions will include allocating the corresponding salary funds as stipulated in the Salary Law, ensuring that newly hired teachers receive their formal and stable remuneration.
During the legislative debate, representative Elisa Rosales emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that many substitute teachers have waited between 10 and 20 years to obtain a permanent position, despite performing key roles in the national education system.

Rosales noted that this project has been in development since the beginning of the current Legislative Assembly and is the third decree approved to benefit substitute teachers, as part of a process to regularize employment in the education sector.
“We are fulfilling an act of justice for all those who educate our children and adolescents, who are fundamental to the education system”, the congresswoman stated, emphasizing that the measure recognizes the effort and commitment of educators.
The congresswoman also emphasized that these provisions do not constitute a privilege, but rather a historical redress for teachers who for years were excluded from job security, despite their experience and service.

The decree also establishes specific exclusions. The provisions will not apply to temporary staff who were appointed irregularly, who have duly certified poor performance evaluations, who have committed serious offenses, or who have received judicial or administrative sanctions. Nor will those under protective measures due to cases of violence, abuse, or other crimes, or those hired through special agreements with churches or subsidized private schools, benefit.
With this approval, the Legislative Assembly is advancing in strengthening the education system by providing stability to teachers and recognizing their essential role in the academic and personal development of new generations.
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