Mexican teachers, opposed to education reform, warn of more protests

Teachers charge and break a police barricade during a protest against President Enrique Pena Nieto's education reform, in Monterrey, Mexico July 6, 2016. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Teacher union leaders in Mexico have called on the government to repeal an education reform they say penalizes teaching staff in rural areas, and say they could step up protests that have caused havoc in the south and culminated in angry clashes with police.

Tensions have risen in recent weeks as teachers opposed to President Enrique Pena Nieto's reform, which requires teachers to sit evaluation tests every three years, have closed off a slew of highways throughout the country.