The Venezuelan Educational System

"...Moral y luces son los polos de una república; moral y luces son nuestras primeras necesidades."

• -Simon Bolívar

The Educational System in Venezuela is one that provides equal opportunities within the given resources. Education is compulsory all the way up to high-school. Education is free and available for any citizen has the right to attend public schools.There are public and private institutions for all levels of education. The education system is subject to supervision by the Ministerio del poder popular para la Educación (the Ministry of Popular Power for Education, ME). Even though the schools are different in the different regions, changes in the educational system affect all schools nationwide. Private Schools must also guide their structure based upon the guidelines provided by ME .

Structure of the Venezuelan Educational System

Preeschool is considered regarded as the 5 first years of education. Curriculum in this first 5 years is not as structured and uniform as in other cycles of education. By Law, Employees receives Education for his or her child's education during this period. A good preeschool would get a kid initiated in basic reading and writing skills (writing their names and identifying sound patterns both visually and additively).

The educational system structure is divided in divided in 3 subdivisions. The Basic education lasts 9 years (6 primary, 3 secondary), two years of Diversified Secondary Education (Educación Media Diversificada). Alternatively, students can opt for alternative diversified secondary Education that focuses on Human or Social aspects or Science and Engineering aspects.

Students, upon graduating have to take tests of admission to universities and the "Prueba de aptitud academica" (Academic Aptitude Test) which measures the mathematic and linguistic skills. this exam could be compared to the SAT's in the American School System.

Universities

There are public and private Universities. Public universities are known for providing a higher academic experience for students but much more recently private universities are providing students with the required resources to explore and experience things first hand. this balance makes both settings very interesting learning grounds. usually carriers take 5 years (10 semesters). People consider Graduate Courses a must after their first University career.

Current Curriculum

Under Revision.

Ubuntu and Edubuntu in Venezuelan Schools

Ever since the opening of the edubuntu proyect, there's been great interest in implementations in venezuela. Public schools sponsored by large Oil Cooporations are to some extent folowing presidential decree 3390, which states all public administration software must be free software. There have been also cases of visits to schools. reference to this situation is presented in this report: source linux.com

Links of interest

• Edubuntu linux for education (reference to Edubuntu in Venezuela

• Edubuntu en las escuelas venezolanas (spanish)

• Email with first impressions from one of the first visits to schools.

• Ubuntu goes to School in Venezuela

References

• Ministerio del poder popular para la Educación (the Ministry of Popular Power for Education, ME)

• STATISTICS EDUCATION IN VENEZUELA: THE CASE OF ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Wikipedia: Education in Venezuela