Controversial education law passes Venezuelan Congress

Aug 14, 2009, 18:06 GMT

   Caracas - Venezuela's National Assembly passed in the early hours of Friday a controversial education law, which critics claim seeks to indoctrinate students with socialist ideas and to restrict freedom of the press.

The debate on the bill proposed by supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez lasted 10 hours.

In protest, the opposition party PODEMOS legislators left the chamber to boycott the vote. Twelve reporters were injured Thursday when they were attacked by alleged pro-government activists while they campaigned against the bill.

PODEMOS has supported Chavez in the past but is now in the opposition to the left-wing populist leader. Pro-Chavez legislators enjoy a large majority in the National Assembly, since most of the opposition boycotted the 2005 legislative election.

Many student and trade unions have vowed to disobey the new legislation.

National Assembly Speaker Cilia Flores noted that the law seeks to assert that 'families have a duty, a right and a responsibility to instil values, principles, beliefs, attitudes, rules and habits in boys, girls, teenagers, young people and adults.'

   According to the Venezuelan government, the new law would boost university autonomy, integration between families and teachers, and equal access to education.

   Critics, however, say it would work against university autonomy and line up students with the current government's socialist ideology.

Article 50 in the new law is among the most controversial. It bans the media from publishing news that 'cause terror in children, incite hatred, attack the healthy values of the Venezuelan people, the mental and physical health of the population.'

Mention of the press constraints spurred protests from reporters, who denounced the law as a risk for freedom of expression.