Venezuela on Monday reopened public schools and universities which serve more than 11 million students, after a long closure amid the coronavirus pandemic, though some schools remained closed for repairs or because of lack of staff.
By Reuters – Vivian Sequera
Oct 25, 2021
President Nicolas Maduro’s government has delayed the restart of in-person classes several times, amid new peaks in infections and vaccination delays.
Youth Minister Mervin Maldonado said 8.7 million children would return to classrooms across the country and some 3.1 million students would resume attending universities.
Children dressed in uniforms of blue pants and red shirts and wearing masks filed into schools in the capital Caracas starting at 7 a.m., as teachers dispensed antibacterial gel.
One mother, Jenny Bejarano, said she felt “a bit nervous” about potential coronavirus infections as she dropped off her son Fabian at the Venezuela Experimental Education Unit school in central Caracas.
“Our health system, it’s not a secret from anyone, is lacking,” said Bejarano, a cardiorespiratory staffer at a private clinic. She said there is a deep scarcity of medications and supplies.
But 8-year-old Fabian was excited to see his third-grade classmates, said Bejarano, 47.
About 40% of the school’s 1,700 registered students returned to classes on Monday, said community representative Pedro Zambrano.
Some teachers will remain absent for fear of getting sick or because of low salaries, she said, adding that the maximum monthly salary for her members is 118 bolivares, equivalent to $27.
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Read More: Reuters – Millions of Venezuelan students return to school after COVID-19 closures
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