Opposition education defense group bows to the obvious

www.vheadline.com Posted: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 1:44:01 PM By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Opposition Asamblea de Educacion group , which has been acting as coordinating committee for private and public sector schools that joined the national stoppage, is recommending a return to classes. The group’s director, Leonardo Carvajal admits that many private schools have re-opened their doors because of pressure from parents and representatives.

• The National Private Education Association has called on members to start classes on Monday, February 3.

According to Carvajal, Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Andres Bello Catholic University (UCAB) and the Caracas Teachers Training Institute are scheduled to re-open next week.  He concludes that there doesn’t seem much point to continue the stoppage now that the consultative referendum has been called off and that any future elections will take time to organize.

The Asamblea de Education, Carvajal adds, will be monitoring possible retaliations against teachers and professors, who joined the national stoppage… “we will defend teachers’ labor rights and we are asking that the issue be placed on the opposition negotiating team’s agenda.”