Education in 21st Century Venezuela

Education in 21st Century Venezuela

 

University Classroom Building

Educating the people of Venezuela until the last 15 years has been a spotty effort, filled with fits and starts.  The authors of Wikipedia state that education “in colonial Venezuela was neglected compared to other parts of the Spanish Empire which were of greater economic interest.” (n.d.)  While the first university was founded in 1721, there was little formalized education until the 1890’s.  More recently, and especially under the current presidential administration of Hugo Chavez, huge increases in both funding and constitutional imperatives have resulted in a literacy rate of 93.1%, the second highest in Latin America. (Venezuela’s Inclusive, 2012)

Primary Students at Lunch

Schooling today is compulsory for children from preschool through what we call high school, and while higher education is not required, students enjoy a free and full access to education at all levels, including university.  The system breaks down into 4 distinct levels, from ages 3 to 15.    The first level is preschool for children 3-6 years; the next level is primary and includes ages 6-11; that is followed by schooling for ages 12-15.  That roughly breaks down close to what we have here.  Secondary school has two different “tracks” and these include either a two-year or a three-year option.  Diversified is for students to train in the arts or humanities or the sciences and lasts two years.  A three-year course called “Técnicos medios” is for technicians in areas such as agriculture, health, and industrial.  (Venezuela-Education, n.d.)

University Students

Venezuela has both public and private schools and universities.  Most of the private schools are Roman Catholic, though their curriculum is overseen by the central government.  The remaining 7% of eligible people who remain illiterate are largely the impoverished or the indigenous peoples. 

 

 

To that end, the Chavez government has set up what are called “Bolivarian” schools, to assist those who haven’t been able to attend regular schools and who remain illiterate.  As well, there are 44 indigenous tribes living in the Orinoco River jungles and Amazon regions in the far south of the country that are being served through these.   Founded in 2004, the Indigenous University serves these folks in the heart of the jungle.  According to Daniels, “…”about 100 students from many of the country’s…tribes come to the university which teaches ancient customs alongside modern law and technology. …one student is currently working on a plan for a forest farming thesis on a laptop in a dirt-floor hut.” (2011)

Attending class at Indigenous University

While the benefits that the Chavez government has put into place are immense that push Venezuela into the forefront of world-wide literacy campaigns, there may be at least one reason to feel cautious.  According to Wikipedia, Mr. Chavez published an official reading list in May 2009.

 ’The Revolutionary Reading Plan’ will feature theorist Karl Marx, revolutionary Che Guevara, and liberator Simon Bolivar.  According to Venezuela’s culture ministry, the compulsory book list is being designed to help schoolchildren eliminate ‘capitalist thinking’ and better understand the ideals and values ‘necessary to build a socialist country. (n.d.)

____________________

The effort to reduce illiteracy and to promote education extending into university and technical/professional levels is the result of the “Bolivarian” ideal, set in motion through the constitution of 1999.  This is a reach back to promote the beliefs of the Spanish-American liberator Simon Bolivar, who was a strong believer in education for all.  In many ways, the government’s action solidifies the direct connection of its Spanish heritage into the present and future of Venezuelan culture. 

The similarities with American culture are several:  emphasis on preschool (gaining here); emphasis on education beyond secondary; efforts to educate indigenous people.  Neither country has paid much attention to, and or given much money to, assist its native peoples over the centuries past.  That appears to be changing in Venezuela.  For me, though, the idea of having an approved reading list that encourages a particular political view seems contrary to the whole purpose of education. 

 

Reference List

 Daniels, F. J. (2011, June 21).  Learning in the wilds:  Venezuela’s first indigenous university. 

 

      Venezuelanalysis.com. Retrieved November 11, 2012, from

 

      http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/6287.

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Education in Venezuela. Wikipedia. Retrieved October 29, 2012 from

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education _in_Venezuela.

StateUniversity.com. (n.d.). Venezuela-educational system-overview.  StateUniversity.com. 

 

      Retrieved October 29, 2012, from http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1663/Venezuela-

 

      EDUCATIONAL-SYSTEM-OVERVIEW.html.

Embassy of the Boliverian Republic of Venezuela. (2012, March 14).  Venezuela’s inclusive

      education system has boosted enrollment.  Embassy of the Boliverian Republic of Venezuela. 

      Retrieved November 12, 2012, from http://venezuela-us.org/2012/03/14/venezuela’s-inclusive-

      education-system-has-boosted-enrollment/.