Broken Chalk’s Press On Release Deepening a Culture of Social Justice and Human Rights in South Africa

Leticia Cox / Broken Chalk Media Department

Durban—On this significant day, Broken Chalk joins the global community in celebrating South Africa’s Human Rights Day, which honors the nation’s hard-fought struggles for dignity, equality, and justice.
This year’s theme, “Deepening a Culture of Social Justice and Human Rights,” reminds us of the ongoing commitment to protect fundamental freedoms and dismantle systemic inequalities.
On March 21st 1960, 69 unarmed protesters were brutally killed while demonstrating against apartheid’s oppressive pass laws.

The Sharpeville Massacre has made March 21st an enduring symbol of democratic South Africa’s legacy. This day serves as a sad reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom and underscores the ongoing struggle against injustice.
While South Africa has made significant progress since the fall of apartheid, many challenges persist: poverty, gender-based violence, xenophobia, and corruption continue to impede actual impartiality.


Broken Chalk urges collective action to address these issues by:


• Ensuring Access to Quality Education

Education is a fundamental human right and a powerful tool for breaking cycles of poverty and discrimination.
• Protecting Press Freedom and Democracy

Journalists and human rights defenders must be safeguarded from threats and violence.
• Combating Inequality and Discrimination

Women, children, and refugees continue to face structural barriers; policies must actively promote inclusion and justice.
• Strengthening Justice Systems

Law enforcement and judicial processes must ensure fairness, impartiality, and accountability for all.
As we commemorate Human Rights Day, Broken Chalk stands in solidarity with all South Africans working toward a more just and equal society. The fight for human rights is not over—it is a continuous journey that demands active participation from all sectors of society.

Featured image by Leticia Cox

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Challenges in Venezuela’s Education System

Introduction 

The Venezuelan education system is structured into four main levels, ranging from early childhood education to higher education, with the aim of ensuring the comprehensive education of students. Education in Venezuela is free and compulsory up to secondary school, as established by the 1999 Constitution. The system comprises early childhood education (for children aged 3 to 5), basic education (for children aged 6 to 12), and secondary education, which can be either general or technical, catering to students aged 12 to 18. 

In recent years, the Venezuelan government has implemented several initiatives to expand access to education, such as the “Misiones Bolivarianas“, which aim to combat illiteracy and provide education for adults and marginalised populations. Despite these efforts, the system faces significant challenges, including the economic crisis, which impacts the quality of education, school infrastructure, and the retention of qualified teachers. 

Higher education is offered at universities and technical institutes, with a variety of programmes ranging from undergraduate to postgraduate degrees in various fields of knowledge. Universities such as the Central University of Venezuela (UCV) are important references in the country’s educational landscape. 

Evolution of Venezuelan educational policies 

Beginning in 1999, with the new Constitution and the government of Hugo Chávez, education was recognised as a fundamental human right and a national priority. The government launched seven initiatives known as “Misiones Educativas” (Table 1), aimed at combating illiteracy and expanding access to education in rural areas and for historically marginalised populations (Peters, 2021). 

Table 1. Missiones Educativas (2003-2007) 

Misión Robinson I  2003 
Misión Robinson II  2003 
Misión Ribas  2003 
Misión Sucre  2003 
Misión Cultura  2004 
Misión Ciencia  2006 
Misión Alma Mater  2007 

Source: author’s elaboration. 

The “Misiones Educativas”, combined with other public policies such as the Programa de Alimentacion Escolar (PAE), have led to an expansion of access to education. According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the gross enrolment rate in primary education rose from around 85% in 1999 to over 95% by the mid-2000s. In secondary education, the enrolment rate also increased, rising from approximately 40% in 1999 to around 70% in 2015. 

Regarding the literacy rate, Venezuela was declared free of illiteracy by UNESCO in 2005, based on the “Mission Robinson” programme, which was a massive literacy campaign that reached millions of people. The government reported having taught more than 1.5 million people to read and write between 2003 and 2005. 

In parallel with the reduction in illiteracy rates and the expansion of education, there has also been an effort to improve student nutrition and support school attendance through the “Programa de Alimentacion Escolar” (PAE). According to data from the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), millions of children have benefited from this programme, although the economic crisis has hampered its continued implementation in recent years. 

Finally, the Venezuelan government has significantly increased public investment in education. According to UNESCO data, education spending as a percentage of GDP increased from 3.8% in 1999 to approximately 6.9% in 2013. This has placed Venezuela among the Latin American countries that invest the most in education as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)1. 

Challenges in Venezuela’s Education System 

Despite significant progress, Venezuelan education has faced critical challenges, especially in the last two decades, due to a turbulent political and economic context. Four key issues can be highlighted: Deterioration of Educational Quality, Exodus of Teachers, Deficient School Infrastructure, and Regional Inequality. 

The expansion of access to education has not been accompanied by a qualitative improvement, with Venezuelan students performing poorly in international assessments. According to the OECD, although Venezuela does not regularly participate in PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), regional indicators point to unsatisfactory results in basic skills such as reading, mathematics, and science. 

In addition to poor quality, many schools face a shortage of teaching materials and inadequate infrastructure, which directly impacts the quality of learning. Finally, the completion rate has also been a challenge. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and UNESCO, the secondary school completion rate has remained around 50-60% over the past two decades, indicating difficulties in student retention. 

Another challenge for Venezuelan education relates to the low salaries and working conditions of teachers. Combined with the ongoing economic crisis, this has led to an exodus of education professionals. Hyperinflation has eroded teachers’ salaries, leaving many with insufficient income to cover basic needs. 

The third challenge is the deficient school infrastructure, with many schools in Venezuela in poor condition due to a lack of maintenance and inadequate facilities. According to UNESCO, more than 50% of public schools face serious problems, such as lack of clean water, electricity, and adequate sanitation facilities. Finally, these challenges affect urban and rural areas differently. Schools in rural areas often lack qualified teachers and basic infrastructure, further exacerbating inequality. Data from National Institute of Statistics (INE) Venezuela shows that enrolment and school completion rates are much lower in rural areas compared to urban areas. 

Conclusion 

While Venezuela has made significant strides in expanding access to education, particularly through the implementation of various educational missions and public policies, the country’s education system continues to face serious challenges. The increase in enrolment rates and the successful reduction of illiteracy are notable achievements, yet these gains are overshadowed by issues such as deteriorating educational quality, teacher shortages, inadequate school infrastructure, and regional inequalities.  

The economic crisis, particularly hyperinflation, has severely impacted teachers’ salaries and working conditions, leading to an exodus of qualified professionals and further exacerbating the country’s educational crisis. These challenges must be addressed through sustained investment in education, improvements in infrastructure, and policies that support the retention of teachers if Venezuela is to fully realize the potential of its educational system and ensure equitable access to quality education for all its citizens. 

References 

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). “Venezuela.” News, May 20, 2016. Accessed September 2, 2024. https://www.fao.org/venezuela/noticias/detail-events/en/c/345111/. 

Garcia Zea, Daniel. “Brain Drains in Venezuela: The Scope of the Human Capital Crisis.” Human Resource Development International 23, no. 2 (2020): 188-195. 

Gonzales, Ignacio. “Venezuela’s Education System.” The Borgen Project, 2019. https://borgenproject.org/venezuelas-education-system/. 

Peters, S. 2021. “The Education System of Venezuela.” In The Education Systems of the Americas, edited by S. Jornitz and M. Parreira do Amaral. Global Education Systems. Cham: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93443-3_15-1. 

UNESCO. “Venezuela.” 2024. https://en.unesco.org/countries/venezuela. 

UNESCO Institute for Statistics. “Venezuela.”  2024. http://uis.unesco.org/en/country/ve. 

World Bank. Education in Venezuela. 2024. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/venezuela/publication/education. 

 

Seven Turkish Citizens Abducted in Kenya Press RELEASE

Panashe Mlambo and The Journalism Department.

Broken Chalk is deeply concerned about the proposed amendments to the Iraqi Personal Status Law No. 188 of 1959 and appeals to the government to safeguard the interests of children. If enacted, these amendments would pose a significant threat to the rights of women and children in Iraq.The proposed changes aim to reinstate religious laws over the current constitutional laws that govern Iraq. A particularly alarming aspect of this proposal is that it would allow for the legal marriage of girls to be 9 years and boys 15 years. Currently, Iraqi law prohibits marriage under the age of 18, ensuring a level of protection for children.The enactment of this proposal would have far-reaching consequences, not only economically and politically but also in terms of education. Every child has the right to education and to be treated as a child. As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Iraq is obligated to protect the interests of its children. This proposal represents a serious deviation from Iraq’s commitments under the UN Convention and would likely result in grave human rights violations.Research has consistently shown that child marriages reduce educational opportunities, increase school dropout rates, and restrict the freedom of children. Moreover, this law would likely exacerbate gender-based violence and further diminish accountability for perpetrators who target children.Broken Chalk strongly urges the Iraqi government to safeguard the interests of children and to protect their childhood and freedom by rejecting this harmful proposal.

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Broken Chalk Condemns Escalation in Lebanon, Urges Protection of Children

Panashe ML Mlambo and The Journalism Department.

Broken Chalk Condemns Escalation in Lebanon, Urges Protection of Children. Broken Chalk, an organisation dedicated to improving access to education, is deeply concerned by the escalating violence in Lebanon and its devastating impact on children.Thousands of innocent civilians have been displaced, and children are bearing the brunt of the conflict. The recent attack has resulted in the tragic loss of young lives and left countless children traumatised.Broken Chalk emphasises the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the crisis and calls upon all parties involved to prioritise the protection of children. The psychological well-being of children is being severely compromised, and the uncertainty surrounding school openings due to the ongoing bombing is causing further distress.Broken Chalk appeals to the international community to take immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of Lebanese children. Humanitarian aid must be provided to support displaced families and address the urgent needs of children, including access to education, healthcare, and mental health services.

Research and Journalism Department

Email: research@brokenchalk.org

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Broken Chalk’s Press Release on concerns regarding the proposed amendments to Iraqi personal status law No. 188 of 1959.

Panashe Mlambo and The Journalism Department.

Broken Chalk is deeply concerned about the proposed amendments to the Iraqi Personal Status Law No. 188 of 1959 and appeals to the government to safeguard the interests of children. If enacted, these amendments would pose a significant threat to the rights of women and children in Iraq.The proposed changes aim to reinstate religious laws over the current constitutional laws that govern Iraq. A particularly alarming aspect of this proposal is that it would allow for the legal marriage of girls to be 9 years and boys 15 years. Currently, Iraqi law prohibits marriage under the age of 18, ensuring a level of protection for children.The enactment of this proposal would have far-reaching consequences, not only economically and politically but also in terms of education. Every child has the right to education and to be treated as a child. As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Iraq is obligated to protect the interests of its children. This proposal represents a serious deviation from Iraq’s commitments under the UN Convention and would likely result in grave human rights violations.Research has consistently shown that child marriages reduce educational opportunities, increase school dropout rates, and restrict the freedom of children. Moreover, this law would likely exacerbate gender-based violence and further diminish accountability for perpetrators who target children.Broken Chalk strongly urges the Iraqi government to safeguard the interests of children and to protect their childhood and freedom by rejecting this harmful proposal.

Broken-Chalk-Press-Release-Iraq-1

Broken Chalk’s Press Release on concerns regarding the proposed amendments to Iraqi personal status law No. 188 of 1959.

Panashe Mlambo and The Journalism Department.

Broken Chalk is deeply concerned about the proposed amendments to the Iraqi Personal Status Law No. 188 of 1959 and appeals to the government to safeguard the interests of children. If enacted, these amendments would pose a significant threat to the rights of women and children in Iraq.The proposed changes aim to reinstate religious laws over the current constitutional laws that govern Iraq. A particularly alarming aspect of this proposal is that it would allow for the legal marriage of girls to be 9 years and boys 15 years. Currently, Iraqi law prohibits marriage under the age of 18, ensuring a level of protection for children.The enactment of this proposal would have far-reaching consequences, not only economically and politically but also in terms of education. Every child has the right to education and to be treated as a child. As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Iraq is obligated to protect the interests of its children. This proposal represents a serious deviation from Iraq’s commitments under the UN Convention and would likely result in grave human rights violations.Research has consistently shown that child marriages reduce educational opportunities, increase school dropout rates, and restrict the freedom of children. Moreover, this law would likely exacerbate gender-based violence and further diminish accountability for perpetrators who target children.Broken Chalk strongly urges the Iraqi government to safeguard the interests of children and to protect their childhood and freedom by rejecting this harmful proposal.

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Broken Chalk’s Press Release on World Refugee Day 

Mamta Rao, Rieke Lahrsen

Every year on June 20th, the world comes together to commemorate World Refugee Day – a day to raise awareness about the plight of refugees and celebrate their courage, resilience, and contributions to societies around the globe. It is a day marked by various events hosted globally that are organized by or include participation of refugees, government officials and inclusive communities.

This year’s theme is “Hope away from home”, emphasizing the importance of enabling refugees to pursue education, employment and healthy living in their place of refuge. Inclusion stands at the forefront as the most effective way to help refugees not only rebuild their own lives, but also contribute to their new communities and place of safety.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are currently over 100 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, including refugees, asylum-seekers, and internally displaced persons. These individuals have been uprooted from their homes due to conflict, violence, human rights violations, and increasingly, the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.

The journey of a refugee is one marked by unimaginable hardship, loss, and trauma. They have fled their homelands in search of safety, leaving behind everything they once knew and loved. Yet, in the face of such adversity, refugees continue to demonstrate an extraordinary capacity for resilience and hope.

World Refugee Day is an opportunity to honor this resilience and to remind ourselves of our shared responsibility to support and protect those seeking refuge. It is a day to amplify the voices of refugees, to listen to their stories, and to recognize the immense contributions they make to host communities.

Refugees bring with them a wealth of skills, knowledge, and cultural diversity that enriches the societies in which they settle. They are entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, and community leaders, whose determination and perseverance inspire us all.

On this World Refugee Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of refugees. Let us advocate for policies that promote their inclusion and integration, and work towards creating a more just and compassionate world where no one is forced to flee their home.

Here are a few ways you can make a difference this June 20th and beyond:

Educate yourself and others: read, listen and learn about the refugee crisis and how it impacted innocent lives worldwide

Support refugee organizations: donate or volunteer your time and energy to help refugees through organizations such as UNHCR, IOM, IRAP or local assistance groups

Advocate in your community: advocate for policy changes through local engagement, support refugee-owned businesses, participate in awareness campaigns or engage with schools to integrate refugee issues into their curricula

Spread positive stories: success stories and positive personal experiences of individuals can highlight the resilience of these strong individuals and fight the negative stereotypes portrayed in the media!

Remember, refugees are not just statistics; they are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters seeking a better life and a haven. Their stories remind us of our shared humanity and the power of hope in the face of adversity.

Together, we can build a world where refugees are welcomed, supported, and empowered to rebuild their lives and thrive.

References