July 11, 2006
President Chávez graduates 250.000 new high school students with Mision Ribas

(Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias) - "President Chávez gave high school degrees to 250.000 students of Misión Ribas, the social program implemented by the government 3 years ago.

Minister of Oil and Energy, Rafael Ramírez, opened the ceremony at the Teresa Carreño Theatre and said Misión Ribas is an 'excellent opportunity to achieve social cohesion between our people'. (...)

On October 2003, the Presidential Commission of Misión Ribas was sworn in Miraflores Presidential Palace and on November that same year a census identified 1.472.167 Venezuelans who had been excluded from the formal education system.

On November 2003, Misión Ribas begins its activities with 716.939 students and 31.333 facilitators in 29.929 classrooms operating in different schools around the country. That way on May 31st 2005, the first class graduated with Misión Ribas giving a high school diploma to 20.686 people.

After two years in operation, in December 2005 Misión Ribas had graduated 168.170 students, and last Tuesday 250.000 students received their high school diplomas which represents 58% of the number of people enrolled.

Minister Rafael Ramírez indicated that the goal is to graduate further162.790 students".