June 22, 2006
Simoncito program assists over 55,000 Venezuelan children

(Bolivarian News Agency) - "The Simoncito education program - promoted by the Venezuelan government - focuses on children between the ages of 0-6 all around Venezuela.

The Director of Initial Education of the Ministry of Education and Sports (MED, Spanish acronym), María Auxiliadora González, explained that they will have universalized education for infants by 2007. Currently, there are 285 Simoncito schools in Venezuela. They planned to have 302 institutions by the end of 2006.

On the occasion of the First Regional Education Seminar for Inclusion, González informed about the education plan designed for nearly 200 children. The Model Education Plan for Infancy includes 9 classrooms: 6 for children between 4-6 years of age, and 3 for children under 4 years of age.

According to Mrs. González, the main aspects of the Simoncito program are the success of the maternal school (children between the ages of 0-3), the families' leading participation in the educative process, the articulation between the institutional system and the non-conventional system, and the integrated education, including health and food, among others.

González told the Venezuelan and foreign teachers attending the event about the country's proposals designed to include more people in the public education system.

Regarding the children living in areas far way from populated centers, the community teachers will educate them at home.

Missions Robinson, Ribas and Sucre, and the new Bolivarian education system, including Simoncito and Bolivarian schools and high schools, were part of the topics explained to the international guests".