This Article is From Aug 16, 2009

Venezuela Prez signs controversial education law

Venezuela Prez signs controversial education law

AP image

Caracas:

Lawmakers loyal to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gave final approval to a legislation on Friday that has raised fears among government opponents of impending socialist indoctrination in schools.

The law orders schools to base curricula on what it calls 'The Bolivarian Doctrine' -- a reference to ideals espoused by 19th-century independence hero Simon Bolivar, such as national self-determination and Latin American unity.

Critics are quick to note that Chavez uses the term "Bolivarian" to describe his political movement, and some believe his socialist government intends to win over hearts and minds through classroom indoctrination.

Speaking at Carabobo University on Friday, Chavez, showed students what he said was the law, saying he would sign it the following day.

The Venezuelan leader said the opponents to the law, which Chavez referred to as "bourgeoisie" should not think that he will back down on what  he described as a "great law."

Supporters of the proposed legislation scoffed at such allegations, noting the bill requires teaching be "open to all forms of thinking" and said that it does not mean to copy the Cuban model.

Maria de Queipo, Socialist Party lawmaker in charge of the Educational Commission in the National Assembly denied there was any intention of "Cubanising" the education system, although she added that there were a lot of important things to take from the Cuban culture.

Students and other opponents of the law descended on Caracas in a protest march on Friday.

The National Assembly's only dissidents walked out of the debate hours before the final vote to protest the ruling party's refusal to compromise on the bill's most contentious articles.

Pro-Chavez lawmakers continued to discuss the law, approving it article by article on Thursday evening until giving it final approval early Friday.

The 167-seat assembly became entirely pro-Chavez after the opposition boycotted 2005 elections, but close to a dozen lawmakers have since broken ranks with the powerful ruling party over what they perceive as the president's increasing authoritarianism.

Supporters of the law generally scoff at claims that it's aimed at indoctrinating children and downplay concerns, saying the legislation reflects the government's efforts to ensure equal opportunities and teach social responsibility.


The debate over the education bill stoked tensions between Venezuela's fierce political foes, producing rival demonstrations on Thursday outside the National Assembly in downtown Caracas that ended in violence.

Police in riot gear used tear gas and water cannons to break up the protests, but scuffles between adversaries continued amid the caustic white gas and ensuing commotion.
More than a dozen injuries were reported.

Shortly after police scattered people outside the assembly, the Ultimas Noticias newspaper reported that a group of journalists were attacked a couple of blocks away by Chavez backers as they passed out leaflets warning against the law's emphasis on teaching "critical analysis of media content."

Thirteen people were injured, said Eleazar Diaz Rangel, the newspaper's director. Chavez's administration condemned the violence.

It said authorities launched an investigation to determine who was responsible for the attacks.

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