(17 Jun 2016) A SCHOOL DAY BEGINS IN THE SLUMS OF CARACAS.
BUT 14-YEAR-OLD MARIA ARIAS WON'T HAVE A FULL DAY OF CLASSES AT HER HIGH SCHOOL.
SOUNDBITE, Maria Gabriela Arias, student:
"Most of the teachers hardly come,miss classes… We sometimes have even 4 hours without seeing classes…"
THE FALL IN OIL PRICES; YEARS OF ECONOMIC MISMANAGEMENT AND SOARING CRIME HAVE BROUGHT VENEZUELA TO A CRISIS....
AND NOW THE ONCE ENVIED SCHOOL SYSTEM IS IN CHAOS, LEAVING CLASSROOMS EMPTY…
A PARENT GROUP ESTIMATES THAT VENEZUELAN CHILDREN ARE MISSING 40 PERCENT OF CLASS TIME THIS YEAR.
SOUNDBITE Maria Arias, student:
"At the high school, something always happens, sometimes there are fires, there are fights between students…The high school is ugly."
ON TOP OF THAT, TEACHERS HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE VIOLENCE GRIPPING THE COUNTRY.
ARMED ROBBERS ENTER SCHOOLS. BLACKOUTS LEAVE CLASSROOMS DARK AND STUDENTS FAINT FROM HUNGER.
SOUNDBITE Argelia Arias, Maria's mother:
"I do not give them money for a snack, I can not even buy them a pack of crackers to take a cracker to the school, as I used to do long ago."
LACK OF FOOD IS A CHIEF REASON SCHOOLS ARE FAILING. TEACHERS AND STUDENTS OFTEN MISS CLASS TO SPEND HOURS ON FOOD LINES.
SOUNDBITE Ruth Robles, teacher:
"My colleagues have to bring food to their homes…There is a high dropout rate because I imagine they are queuing up…They need something for breakfast, and sometimes can not bring in breakfast."
GYM CLASS USED TO TAKE PLACE IN THIS PATIO. NOW KIDS GAMBLE. THE GYM TEACHER WAS KILLED IN GUN BATTLE.
SOUNDBITE, Argelia Arias, Maria's mother:
"Everything is getting worse, the quality of life. That has brought us problems, even though we try to stick together and instill in them that the only way is education."
BUT MARIA IS LOSING HOPE THAT HER EDUCATION WILL BE A PATH TO A BETTER LIFE
WARREN LEVINSON, Associated Press
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