This Study, One of a Series of Publications on Cultural, and Social
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 063 214 SO 003 025 AUTHOR Renner, Richard R. TITLE Education tor a New Colombia. INSTITUTION Institute of International Studies (DBEW/OE), Washington, D.C. SPONS AGENCY Office of Education (DHEW) , Washington, D.C. REPORT NO 0E-14152 PUB DATE 71 CONTRACT OEC-0-70-2717; OEC-1-7-07117-5231 NOTE 209p. EDRS PRICE MF-$0. 65 HC- $9. 87 DESCRIPTORS *Comparative Education; *Educational Administration; Educational Development; *Educational History; Educational Philosophy; *Educational Practice; *Educational Problems; Elementary Education; Financial Support; General Education; Government Role; Higher Education; Kindergarten; Secondary Education; Socioeconomic Influences; Teacher Education; Vocational Education IDENTIFIERS *Colombia; South America ABSTRACT This study, one of a series of publications on education in other countries, describes all major levels and types of education in Colombia against a background of the relevant economic, cultural, and social features of that country. The first two chapters depict features of Colombia essential to understanding the context within which its educational system functions. Chapter 3 discusses educational landmarks and traditions in hopes that by rqflecting on unsolved problems in the past current problems in education can be better understood. The National Government has been responsible for educational activities, plans, and programs since the Ministry of Public Instruction was created in 1903. Chapter 4 explains school organization and administration, while chapter 5 emphasizes planning and development of education identifying problems and determining priorities. Enrollment increases are evident in kindergarten, elementary, secondary, vocational, and higher educatbon. Much of this report (chapters 6 through 19) is devoted to reporting the history, purposes, structure and organization, facilities, curriculum, methods, problems, and criticisms of education at each of these levels. Other chapters on Colombian education are included on teachers and teacher education; private education; other educational programs; and international and foreign educational influences. The final chapter focuses on achievements and prospects tor the future in Colombian education. A selected bibliography is included. (Author/SJM) Nu Mon t)i lot a He col Dia 1111' Colombian education is expanding rapidly. From 1955 to 1968, enrollment at the elementary level increased by 121.1 percent; at the secondary level, by 334.8 percent; and at the higher education level, by 384.6 percent. Although public educationis free, about 25 percent of the elementaryschool-agepopulation do notattend school. In 1968, over twothirds of all secondary students were enrolled in the general secondary (bachillerato) program; and almost half of all secondary students were women. Of those enrolled in the vocational program, over half were in Ma commercialfield. Nineteen National Institutes of Middle Educationlarge, com- prehensive secondary schoolsare planned to be operating in Department (State) capitals by 1972. In 1970, 34 universities were authorized to grant degrees, and university enrollment had reached almost 79,000. The typical university prepares a studentfor one particular profession. About 75 percent of the students who finish their university course-work for a degree do not complete their theses and/or their comprehensive examinations. Although such a student termed an egresadoreceives no degree or title, his education is of profess .nal value to him in Colombia. Private schools in 1968 enrolled 20 percent of all elementary HIGHLIGHTS students, 54 percent of all secondary students, and 46 percent of all higher education students. The Roman Catholic Church not only administers most private schools, but also seeks through Acción Cultural Popular (with some financial assistance from the National Government) to reduce illiteracy and raise economic and social standards rmong rural peasants, mainly by means of radio broadcasts. III The National Apprenticeship Service (SENA) provides up to 3 years of vocational and practical training based on surveys of the country's needs. A semiautonomous agency of the Ministry of Labor, SENA is supported by a payroll tax levied on employers. 1311 The Colombian Institute for Educational Loans and Advanced Training Abroad (ICETEX) encourages Colombians to acquire defi- nite skills from the more industrially developed nations of the world through activities such as loans, authorizing favorable stu- dent dollarexchange rates, and sponsoring scholarship programs. COVER Taken from the National Seal of Colombia. The condor denotes national sovereignty; the two horns with fruit and gold, richness of the land; the Phrygian cap on a spear (adopted during the French Revolution as a symbol of liberty), independence; and the ships, the Nation's coasts on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The motto means "Liberty and Order." U.S. DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH. EDUCATION & WELFARE OFFICE OF EDUCATION 0E-14152 THIS DOCUMENT HASBEEN REPRO- DUCED EXACTLY ASRECEIVED FROM THE PERSON ORORGANIZATION ORIG- INATING IT. POINTS OFVIEW OR OPIN- IONS STATED DO NOTNECESSARILY OFFICE OF EDU- REPRESENT OFFICIAL CATION POSITION ORPOLICY. education for a new Colombia by RICHARD R. RENNER Associate Professor of Education University of Florida, Gainesville U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE ELLIOT L. RICHARDSON, Secretary Office of Education S. P. MARLAND, Jr., Commissioner of Education Institute of International Studies ROBERT LEESTMA, Associate Commissioner for international Education 3 This report was made by Richard R. Renner, Uni- versity of Florida, Gainesville, pursuant to Contracts No. OEC-1-7-07117-5231 and OEC-0-70-2717 with the Office of Education, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Opinions expressed in the report are those of the author and do not necessarily refkct official views of the U.S. Government. Superintendent of Documents Catalog No. HE 5.214:14152 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON: 1971 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D. C. 20402 - Price $1.25 4 Foreword This study is another in a series of Office of Education publications on education in other countries. It describes all major levels and typesof education in Colombia against the background of the relevanteconomic, cultural, and social features of that country. The author, Richard R. Renner, has specialized in LatinAmerican education, publishing articles on this subject in variousprofessional jour- nals. He taught at Pennsylvania State University from 1959 to1965 and since then has been on the faculty of the University of Florida. Dr.Renner has performed education-related research and teaching inseveral Latin Amcrican countries. His work in Colombia was done during 1960,1968, and 1970. Particularly helpful to the author in Colombia were educational spe- cialists in the Ministry of National Education's Division ofPlanning, the Coiombian Association of Universities, and the Colombian Institutefor Educational Loans and Advanced Training Abroad. ManyColombians in various walks of life also assisted by giving informationand opinions about education in their country. The Office of Education and the author are grateful for theassistance of not only the many Colombian specialists and citizens,but also the Division of Sponsored Research at the University of Florida;Dr. Augusto Franco A., Director of the Colombian Institute for EducationalLoans and Advanced Training Abroad; Dr. Alberto Ruiz of theDepartment of Educational Affairs in the General Secretariat of theOrganization of American States; Dr. Guillermo Velez, Dean of Education atthe Univer- sity of Antioquia; and Dr. Hal Lewis, Chairman of the Departmentof Foundations of Education at the University of Florida. The views expressed here, however, are those of the author alone. ROBERT LEESTM A Associate Commissioner for International Education. Contents Page Foreword iii 1.The National Setting 1 Gcography 1 Population 2 Thc Economy 3 Rural Conditions. 5 History 6 Government 8 2.Cultural and Social Influences on Education. 10 The Influence of Class 10 Upper-Lower Class Relationships 10 Cultural Characteristics II Educational Attitudes 14 Educational Expectations 16 3.Educational Landmarks and Traditions 18 The Preconquest 18 Colonial Education 18 Independence and the 19th Century 20 Church Educational Activities.. 22 Church Influence. 25 Modern Trends 26 4.School Organization and Administration 29 Organization 29 Supervision and Inspection 34 Finances 35 School Construction 37 Scholarships 38 Enrollment 38 The School Calendar 39 Texts and Teaching Materials 40 Language of Instruction 41 Problems 41 5.Planning and Development 43 Developmental Problems 43 Background of Educational Planning 43 Thc Office of Planning, Coordination, and Evaluation.... 45 The New Prestige of Economics 47 The Church's Interest 47 Hindrances to National Development 47 Developmental Trends and Activities 49 6.Kindergarten and Elementary Education 51 A.Kindergarten Education Thc Institutions and the Children 51 Thc Ministry's Services. 52 Page B. Elementary Education Purposes 52 Attitude Toward Public Schools 52 The School Year and Class Size 53 Number of Grades 53 Pupils: Ages and Enrollment 53 Dropouts and Absentees 54 Curriculum 58 Textbooks and Teaching Methods 58 Examinations 61 Buildings and Services 61 Rural Education 62 The 1967 Emergency Plan 63 Criticisms and Suggestions 65 7.Secondary Education. 67 Objectivs