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Education System of Venezuela
INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS Types of higher education institutions: Universidad (University) Universidad Abierta (Open University) Instituto Universitario (University Institute) Colegio Universitario (University College) Instituto Universitario Tecnológico (Technological University Institute) School leaving and higher education credentials: Bachillerato Técnico Superior Licenciatura Professional Title Especialización Maestría Maestría en Administración Magister Scientiarum Doctorado Philosophus Scientiarum STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM Pre-higher education: Duration of compulsory education: Age of entry: 5 Age of exit: 17 Structure of school system: Pre-Primary Type of school providing this education: Educación preescolar Length of program in years: 3 Age level from: 3 to: 6 Basic Type of school providing this education: Educación Básica Length of program in years: 9 Age level from: 6 to: 15 Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificado de Educación Básica. Diversified Secondary Type of school providing this education: Educación Media Diversificada Length of program in years: 2 Age level from: 15 to: 17 Certificate/diploma awarded: Título de Bachiller Vocational Secondary Type of school providing this education: Educación Media Profesional Length of program in years: 3 Age level from: 15 to: 18 Certificate/diploma awarded: Técnico Medio School education: Pre-school education is the first compulsory stage of education. Basic education is the second and lasts for nine years, divided into three cycles and leading to the Certificado de Educación Básica. Secondary education (educación media) is divided into two options: 1. Diversified, to train "bachilleres" in Science, Art and/or Humanities (two years). 2. Professional, to train middle technicians "Técnicos medios" (three years). Studies are divided into industrial, agricultural, commercial and administrative, and health sectors. Higher education: Higher education is provided by public and private universities and public and private university institutes and colleges (providing pedagogical, polytechnic, technological, ecclesiastical or military instruction). Public universities (national) are of two types: a) autonomous institutions and b) experimental institutions. All these institutions are grouped in two sub-systems: 1) Institutes and University Colleges, mainly for short courses of study (two-and-a-half to three years) leading to the award of the title of "Técnico superior"; 2) Universities, mainly for long courses of study (five or six years), leading to the award of the "Licenciado" or an equivalent professional title (e.g. Ingeniero). Courses of study are in the following areas: Basic Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Educational Science, Humanities, Fine Arts and Letters and Military Sciences. Access to higher education is organized by the Oficina de Planificación del Sector Universitario (OPSU) and includes three stages: Prueba de Aptitud Académica; Preinscripción Nacional y Asignación de Aspirantes to higher education institutions. Most institutions submit candidates to their own selection procedures. In some institutions, preparatory, general or basic courses form part of the admission process. Main laws/decrees governing higher education: Decree: Ley de Universidades Year: 1970 Concerns: Universities Decree: Ley Orgánica de Educación Year: 1980 Concerns: All Decree: Reglamento de los Institutos y Colegios Universitarios Year: 1988 Academic year: Classes from: Sep to: Jul Long vacation from: 1 Aug to: 15 Sep Languages of instruction: Spanish Stages of studies: Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type): Non-university level: Studies at university institutes (pedagogical, polytechnical, technological, ecclesiastical or military) or university colleges lead to the diploma of Técnico Superior, or to an equivalent title, after two-and-a-half to three years.
University level studies: University level first stage: Licenciatura or Título profesional: The Licenciatura or Título profesional are usually awarded, according to the subject, at the end of long-term studies (four to five years - six in Medicine). The title of Técnico superior is awarded after three years. University level second stage: Magister, Especialización: The Magister is awarded after the Licenciatura or an equivalent qualification at the end of two to three years of specialization mainly devoted to the theoretical and methodological bases of research. Studies comprise courses followed by examinations and/or the submission of a thesis. Courses leading to the title of Especialista last for a minimum of two years. University level third stage: Doctorado: The Doctorado is the highest degree awarded by certain universities after the Magister or a specialization (higher professional level). It is conferred at the end of studies which lay emphasis on the theoretical and methodological bases of research and of continuing education. It requires a minimum of 45 créditos, the passing of examinations and the submission of a thesis. This course usually lasts for at least three years.
Teacher education: Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers Since 1993, basic education teachers are trained in three years at teacher training schools, pedagogical institutes or universities. In-service training is provided through Centros regionales de Apoyo al Maestro (CRAM). Training of secondary school teachers Secondary school teachers are trained at the Universidad Pedagógica Experimental Libertador (including its teacher training institutes) as well as other universities, pedagodocal institutute and university colleges. Courses last for four to five years. The title awarded is Licenciado en Educación or Profesor de Educación Secundaria. In-service training for teachers is offered by special training centres.
Non-traditional studies: Distance higher education The Universidad Nacional Abierta offers courses leading to the Licenciatura after five years and to the Magister after a further two years. Lifelong higher education The Instituto Nacional de Cooperación Educativa (INCE) offers non formal vocational courses in industrial, commercial and service fields.
NATIONAL BODIES Administration & co-ordination: Responsible authorities: Ministerio de Educación Superior (Ministry of Higher Education) Head: Samuel Moncada, Minister International relations: Tanía Delgado Av. Universidad, Esquina el Chorro Tel: +58(0212) 596 5270 Fax: +58(0212) 596 5263 EMail: enlacesmes@mes.gov.ve WWW: http://www.mes.gov.ve
Consejo Nacional de Universidades (National Council of Universities) Head: Samuel Moncada, Minister of Higher Education Administrative officer: Rosa Mireya Zambrano de Gugig, Permanent Secretary (Executive) Ave La Salle Tel: +58(212) 782 3750/ 782 3963 Fax: +58(212) 793 2380 EMail: webmaster@cnu.gov.ve WWW: http://www.cnu.gov.ve
Role of governing body: The National Council of Universities overviews the compliance of the law governing all universities in the country, coordinates interelations amongst them and all other entities of the educational system, harmonizes their teaching, cultural and scientific plans and harmonizes their teaching plans all in accordance with the country requirements Asociación Venezolana de Rectores Universitarios - AVERU (Venezuelian Association of University Rectors) Head: Rita Añez, President Av. Santa Fe Sur Tel: +58(212) 975 1462 Fax: +58(212) 979 9263
ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Admission to non university higher education studies Name of secondary school credential required: Bachillerato Minimum score/requirement: 10 For entry to: All Entrance exams required: Students must obtain a minimum mark of 10. They must sit for the Prueba de Aptitud Académica. Admission to university-level studies Name of secondary school credential required: Bachillerato Minimum score/requirement: 10 For entry to: All Entrance exams required: Students must obtain a minimum mark of 10. They must sit for the Prueba de Aptitud Académica Other admission requirements: In addition to the Prueba de Aptitud Académica, Preinscripción Nacional y Asignación de Aspirantes to institutions. Foreign students admission Admission requirements: In order to have their studies, degrees and diplomas recognized, foreign students must address an application to the Minister of Education together with documents duly authenticated by the educational authorities of the home country and by the Venezuelan Consulate. Information concerning the presentation of documents may be obtained from the Ministerio de Educación Superior. Language requirements: Students must have a good knowledge of Spanish. Application procedures: Apply to: Ministerio de Educación Superior Av.
Universidad, Esquina el Chorro Tel: +58(212) 596-52-70 Fax: +58(212) 596-52-63 Telex: 21943 min ed EMail: enlacesmes@mes.gov.ve WWW: http://www.mes.gov.ve Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies Name of agreement: Convenio Andres Bello de Integración Educativa, Cientifica y Cultural de Los Paises de la Region Andina Year of signature: 1970 Name of agreement: Convention of the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education Year of signature: 1974 Name of agreement: Reglamento de Reválida de Títulos y Equivalencias de Estudios (países latinoamericanos) Year of signature: 1969 References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies Title: Directorio nacional de cursos de postgrado Publisher: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas Title: Oportunidades de estudios en los institutos de educación superior de Venezuela (Annual) Publisher: Consejo Nacional de Universidades; Oficina de Planificación Sector Universitario
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education: Ministry of Higher Education (Ministerio de Educación Superior) Head: Tanía Delgado, Director General, Conventions and Cooperation Av. Universidad, Esquina el Chorro Tel: +58(212) 794-26-83 +58(212) 596-52-70 Fax: +58(212) 794-00-65 +58(212) 596-52-63 EMail: nbarrios@cnu.gov.ve;enlacesmes@mes.gov.ve WWW: http://www.mes.gov.ve GRADING SYSTEM Usual grading system in secondary school Full Description: Is on scale of 20-0, with 10 as the minimum pass mark. Each academic year is divided into 3 or more periods. A grade is given for each period. At the end of the year the grades for each period are averaged to form a previa grade (60% of the final mark). Highest on scale: 20 Pass/fail level: 10 Lowest on scale: 0 Main grading system used by higher education institutions Full Description: Examinations are graded on a 20 maximum with 10 as the minimum pass mark. Two or more partial examinations are taken during each period. The average of all yields 40% of the final grade and must be 10 or above to take the final examination. Highest on scale: 20 Pass/fail level: 10 Lowest on scale: 0 Other main grading systems 9-1 scale. 9: excellent; 8: outstanding;7: very good; 6: good; 5: average; 4-0: failure.
NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM Data for academic year: 2004-2005 Source: International Association of Universities (IAU), updated from Venezuela Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, 2005 Note on Higher Education Institutions: Also military higher education institutions
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