As the ruling-class assault on public education continues in the U.S., the Venezuelan government has begun distributing 350,000 laptop computers to public school children. The program, known as the Canaima Plan, is part of President Hugo Chávez’s commitment to provide all children with portable computers, school uniforms and books.
At a ceremony in Caracas on Nov. 16, Minister of Education Jennifer Gil told those gathered that the Canaima Plan “allows us to keep deepening our integral and massive education system that does not involve just students, but the entire family, environment, parents, representatives, and teachers.” (Venezuelaanalysis.com)
“Only in socialism is it possible to make real the rights of children,” added Gil.
The program began in 2009 as part of an oil trading agreement between Venezuela and Portugal. The educational software used is designed by Venezuelan engineers.
In October, Chávez secured the purchase of 1.5 million additional computers from Portugal as well as plans to build a Canaima production plant in Venezuela.
