http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/08/200981421216810478.html
Saturday, August 15, 2009
01:06 Mecca time, 22:06 GMT
Venezuela changes education system
Chavez is accused by opponents of trying to impose a socialist
agenda in Venezuela's schools [AFP]
Venezuelan legislators have passed a bill on changes to the country's education
system, in a move that critics say is aimed at indoctrinating students with a
socialist agenda.
Under the law, which was agreed on Friday, school teaching will be based on
ideas advanced by Simon Bolivar, a 19th-century independence advocate who
called for self-determination and Latin American unity.
The government has said that the law, which also eliminated explicit provision
for religious education in the mainly Catholic country, will improve education
standards.
"This law is needed for many reasons ... the curriculum, the functioning of
schools, the incorporation of the community," Hector Navarro, the education
minister, said.
But those opposed to the plan have said that teaching Bolivarian ideals in
schools is an attempt by President Hugo Chavez to increase long-term support
for his policies.
"They don't use the word 'socialism,' but that's what they want to introduce in
our schools," Ray Gonzalez, a 59-year-old engineer, said of the legislators who
passed the law.
Opposition walk-out
National assembly members opposed to the bill's most contentious articles left
the assembly hours before the final vote in protest.
"We decided to withdraw because they did not accept our proposals or
recommendations"
Juan Jose Molina, legislator opposed to
the education bill
"We decided to withdraw because they did not accept our proposals or
recommendations,'' Juan Jose Molina, a politician opposed to the bill, said.
The 67-seat assembly was filled entirely with pro-Chavez polticians after his
opponents boycotted 2005 elections.
A dozen legislators have since dropped their support for the president and the
ruling Fifth Republic party, alleging that Chavez has become increasingly
authoritarian.
But supporters of the law say that students will learn to be socially
responsible under the new curricula.
"It is not about imposing a single form of thinking. On the contrary; it is
about respecting the diversity that has characterized this country since
colonisation," Yajaira Reyes, a teacher who heads a pro-Chavez group called
Educators for Emancipation, said.
A day before the law was passed, rival demonstrators clashed outside the
assembly building in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital.
Police in riot gear used tear gas and water cannons to break up the protests.
At least a dozen people were hurt.
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