AMERICA/VENEZUELA - Bishops speak out on the education system debate: “The education battle should not be won or lost by any party, because values and rights cannot be placed to a vote.”

Caracas (Agenzia Fides) - The Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference has issued a statement to the public in order to present its position on some of the aspects of education in the country at this time. “Education is a matter of utmost transcendence, that is ever present in the national itinerary. However, its fundamental constitutive elements hardly ever enter into a national dialogue that is frank and open,” the statement said.
The Bishops recall that in recent months, the educational authorities have begun a series of initiatives, in light of the implementation of the “Bolivariano” Education System, towards a New Curriculum Design that has a profound and extremely influential character in terms of all education in the country. However, the manner in which these steps have been taken, “has caused a general reaction among those concerned...who criticize it because it contradicts the beliefs established in the Constitution and Education Legislation...Moreover, there is an attempt to impose it as if it were a law that must be placed in practice, without any process of dialogue, which is indispensable for such an important issue.” Furthermore, “declarations from authorities have not favored the necessary climate for such a delicate matter, as they continue to send mixed messages to the public.”
The Bishops are especially concerned about “affirmations of the will to place the educational system at the service of a determined political plan.” In their opinion, “this manner of acting, which is truly exclusive and arbitrary...is provoking many uncertainties and is creating an environment of uneasiness and distrust that is neither constructive nor hopeful.” In this sense, the Prelates of Venezuela congratulate the many associations who, “instead of agreeing to the proposal as is, have made an effort to familiarize themselves with its content, express their opinions, and who are willing to debate the perspectives taken in the document.” They also insist once more, “in defending, in every educational act, the centrality of the person considered in his dignity, his necessary social dimension and openness to the transcendent, resisting any form of individualism or collectivism from a secular or religious imposition.” They also reaffirm the right and duty of the family in the task of educating and the responsibility of society.
The Bishops mention some of “the positive elements that are affirmed or introduced in the New Curriculum Design, such as social responsibility and solidarity.” They also insist, however, “in the need for open national dialogue, on the theoretical, pedagogical, and philosophical principles, which should be seen at the light of the Constitution and not unilaterally interpreted.”
“The education battle, as someone has called it, should not be won or lost by any party, because values and rights cannot be placed to a vote,” the Bishops said at the end of their statement. “The country will win or lose to the degree in which we are able to unite our efforts and make way for reflection and discussion among the various educational institutions, in order to discover and place into practice what truly promotes the inclusion of all citizens.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 29/4/2008; righe 41, parole 503)