Primary education in Venezuela, during the biennium under
consideration, has enlisted the practical interest of the National
Government as never before. This has taken shape primarily in the two
fundamental administrative decrees of the Provisional President, Dr.
Bustillos. The first, issued in February, 1917, outlines the general
requirements laid down in the organic law of public instruction under
certain regulations for primary public schools. These are divided
into three main heads: (_a_) The primary elementary schools, in which
only those subjects belonging to compulsory primary instruction are
taught; (_b_) higher primary schools, in which are taught the subjects
belonging to higher primary instruction; (_c_) complete primary
schools, in which instruction is given in both the above divisions at
once.
The decree requires that each school be equipped with all modern
appliances for the physical well-being of the pupils. Children are not
admitted below 7 years of age; only those below 7 years are admitted
to the mothers’ schools or the kindergartens; only those above 14 are
admitted to the schools for adults.
The subjects required in the elementary primary schools are: Reading,
writing, and elements of Spanish; elements of arithmetic and the metric
system; rudiments of geography and history of Venezuela; rudiments of
ethics and civic instruction; rudiments of behavior and hygiene; the
national hymn and school songs; the first elements of manual arts, and,
for girls, of sewing.
In the higher primary schools are taught the following: Elements of
Spanish grammar, elementary arithmetic, metric system, geography and
history of Venezuela, elements of universal geography and history,
elementary science, ethical and civic instruction, behavior and
elementary hygiene, elements of drawing and music, manual arts and
elements of agriculture and cattle raising for boys, sewing and
domestic economy for girls, gymnastic exercises.
Religious instruction is imparted to pupils whose parents or guardians
require it, provided that the number of such be at least 10. The
celebration of school festivals as required by law, the establishment
of libraries in each school accessible to both pupils and teachers, and
the keeping of books and registers by teachers and directors are among
the general provisions emphasized in the regulations.
The second decree, issued by the Provisional President in July, 1917,
sets forth the regulations for the official inspection of public
instruction. It expressly concerns the following schools: