The protesters regard the implementation of Decree 1011 and the National Assembly´s new draft law on education as an attempt to «ideologize» the educational system. Since coming to power, President Hugo Chavez has set up a system of populist government, which he now hopes to apply to public and private schools.
Decree 1011 appoints itinerant supervisors with the power to suspend directors of educational institutions if they observe any irregularity. The decree´s foes, fearing state indoctrination of students, insist on parents´ right to choose the education of their children.
Chavez has replaced the Congress, Supreme Court and the majority of state governments with new bodies resulting from elections and referendums. He says he is reforming a corrupt and elitist political system. But opponents accuse him of accumulating authoritarian powers, which he now wishes to extend to schools.
