STRIKE action has swept Honduras as teachers were joined by pupils, parents and supporters in staging mass protests against the privatisation of education.

Unions called the walkout, demanding that the government cancel decrees declaring a state of emergency in health and education, which they warned was a ruse to move towards privatisation.

Demonstrations took place on Thursday and yesterday, when Professional Teachers Union of Honduras general secretary Daniel Esponda confirmed that there would be no classes across the entire Honduran public education system.

The actions were supported by the National Pedagogic University Francisco Morazan and the National Autonomous University of Honduras, while parents and students joined the protests. 

Demonstrations have been ongoing since April, as teachers and doctors fear that the changes will leave to huge job losses.

Peaceful demonstrations in Tegucigalpa turned violent last month after authorities mobilised riot police to clamp down on dissent, with officers charging people with batons and firing tear gas.

US-backed President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who claims that privatising health and education will generate $300 million (£231m) has faced calls for his resignation.

He won a second term of office in 2017, though the election was marred by allegations of vote-rigging and fraud.

The Info Data news site said: “Historically, the teachers’ union has not lost any struggle in the country because their requests have always been fair and for the benefit of the people. 

“Over 60,000 teachers join together again in Honduras, demanding the elimination of emergency decrees in health and education.”

Teachers condemned repression by the police and other state forces and pledged to fight to defend health and education.