Members of the Science and Tecnology Comission endorsed the bill to implement a dual education system in the country, so that, young people can combine apprenticeships in a company and technical education. By doing this, they can keep working or compete for other positions. Most legislators were in favor of the bill. However, Carlos Hernández, Frente Amplio representative, wasn’t part of this process. He is against the measure because he believes it will increase student’s drop out.
The Ministry of State Education doesn’t support the bill either and minister Sonia Marta Mora sent a document to the commission to prove it. They are not only worried about dropouts. They are concerned because incorporating children to the working system is against the Childhood and Adolescence laws and ministry dispositions. Moreover, it is not clear what kind of careers, courses, formation programs, etc. could be part of the measure. According to Mora,
a curricular plan should be stablished.”
Ronny Monge, member of Partido de Liberacion Nacional, project promoter and committee chairman stated the minister was under union sector pressure and that at first she agreed with the bill.
According to Monge,
“the project supports education and it will help 60 % of students who can’t finish high school and then become cheap workforce.”
He highlighted that private and public institutions, in alliances with companies, will be in charge of these technical professions. Students will be able to prepare themselves and two weeks later they’ll show their knowledge in an associated company.
If students want to and if it is offered to them, they can continue working in those companies because they would already have the experience and a school certification. During the apprenticeships, students will get a 30% payment out of the regular wage, which, to Carlos Hernández, is unacceptable since students will be expected to be as good and efficient as any other worker.
Businessmen are satisfied with the initiative. According to them,
“it fights unemployment and it gives the opportunity to young people to get a nice job.”