New Venezuelan Education exposes capitalist myth and propaganda

Children in Venezuela are to be taught that Christopher Columbus was not a hero but the importer of colonialism and disease, as part of radical education reforms proposed by the government of Hugo Chavez.

Under the proposals students will start learning Marxist ideology at 11 years of age, plus history showing the evils of colonialism and capitalism. The aim of the Bolivarian Educative System will be"the construction of a new socialist Venezuelan conscience and the formation of new generations as standard bearers for it," said President Chavez.

He said it must "transform capitalist values into human ones and transcend Euro-centric colonialism. " Outlines of the new curriculum, due to come into forcein 2010, show that as well as the unflattering depiction of Columbus, emphasis will be placed on teaching indigenous Indian history and culture, as well as that of the African slaves whose descendants now make up a significant percentage of the population. Much of the teaching profession appears less than enthusiastic about the proposed changes.
"The Bolivarian system wants to ensure that all education in Venezuela is based on the political ideology of President Chavez," said Olga Ramos, the president of the Civil Association Assembly of Education.
The reforms will be ushered in by the education minister, Adan Chavez, the President's elder brother and a long time Marxist. The changes to the education system are part of a radical overhaul of the Venezuelan political system as Mr. Chavez proposes a new constitution to usher in his"Socialism of the 21st Century" doctrine.