$Unique_ID{COW00922} $Pretitle{226} $Title{Colombia Education} $Subtitle{} $Author{Colombian Information Service} $Affiliation{Embassy of Colombia, Washington DC} $Subject{colombia's education colombia colombian national schools service system institution public} $Date{1988} $Log{Table 1.*0092201.tab } Country: Colombia Book: A Sketch of Colombia Author: Colombian Information Service Affiliation: Embassy of Colombia, Washington DC Date: 1988 Education The foundation of Colombia's educational system has its roots in the 16th and 17th centuries when the Dominican, Franciscan and Jesuit orders established the colony's first schools and universities in their religious convents. All levels of parochial education continue to operate to this day. In the 1930s, public education became a major concern of the country and these institutions broadened in scope and importance. A comprehensive program of modernization of the nation's entire educational system began in 1930. Financing and supervision of public education is the joint responsibility of the Ministry of Education, the Departments and Municipalities. Secondary schools and universities are the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, which also supports many primary schools and directs technical education. Elementary education is free and comprises two years of pre-school or kindergarten and five years of grade school. Admission to any secondary school requires successful completion of the five-year elementary program. Upon graduation from six years of secondary school, a student may be admitted to an institution of higher education. In addition to public and private primary and secondary schools, Colombia's educational system includes schools for teacher training; agricultural, business, and nursing schools; and other specialized institutions. Colombia's rate of illiteracy has declined substantially and 88 per cent of the country's population can read and write. Two important innovations since 1950 are the Colombian Overseas Technical Specialization Institute (ICETEX), established in 1950 as an autonomous government agency to promote, finance, and direct the advanced training of technical personnel required for national development; and the National Apprenticeship Service (SENA), established in 1957 to train young workers and adults in agricultural and industrial crafts. Colombia has 225 institutions of higher learning, including thirteen state universities and eleven private ones. The National University is the leading public institution and has branches in Medellin, Manizales and Palmira. Founded in 1886 and reorganized in 1935, this institution is housed in Bogota in the University City and consists of many modern buildings on a beautiful campus. Bogota has eleven other universities, the oldest being Santo Tomas, Javeriana Pontifical University,and Colegio Mayor del Rosario. SENA, the National Apprenticeship Service, is the most important teaching institution for vocational careers. SENA trains clerical, administrative and blue collar workers, alternating six month teaching periods with six months on-the-job training. A 2 per cent compulsory tax is imposed on the payroll of all enterprises to finance the institution. And 10 per cent of all revenues are spent to train unemployed. TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS Transport Colombia's rugged topography has been a major factor in hindering transportation and causing the isolation and traditional independence of the country's various regional centers. Since 1951, strides have been made in developing transport facilities, especially in the Western and Central Andean zones. Today, Colombia has a well integrated road system that totals close to 62,460 miles. Among the country's most important roads are the Caribbean Trunk Highway, linking the major Atlantic ports of Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta with the Venezuelan highway system; the Pan American Highway; and the Marginal Jungle Highway. Air transportation is important to surmount Colombia's geographical barriers. The country became a pioneer in developing commercial aviation with the establishment in 1919 of the oldest commercial airline in operation in the western hemisphere. In 1987, international air traffic through Colombia's three gateway cities amounted to 1.07 million passengers. The Colombian National Railway is well integrated into a single operational system. It has a network of 2,000 miles. Flota Mercante Grancolombiana, the Colombian merchant marine, has a worldwide transport network covering 235 ports in 40 countries. Communications Colombia has a worldwide satellite telecommunications network. Local telephone service is operated by the municipalities. There are 2.5 million telephones in service, with fully automated service in over 100 cities. About 88 per cent of Colombian households have television sets. TOURISM AND ENTERTAINMENT Tourism Colombia's development of the tourist industry is being implemented with public and private financial resources. First class hotel accommodations, convention centers and tourist resorts in the Caribbean and Andean mountain areas are quickly expanding. Due to its exceptional geographical location at the crossroads of the Americas, Colombia is easily accessible - either for business or pleasure. Among the key destinations are Bogota, the capital; the walled Caribbean coastal city of Cartagena; and the Amazon River port of Leticia. Outdoor Activities The diversity of tropical and mountain landscapes and the natural beauty of the scenery are permanent objects of attraction. In the vicinity of Bogota there are national parks, mountain hot springs and small towns with colorful folklore. Both in the interior and the coastal regions, it is possible to attend all year round special festivities during which typical airs of regional music such as "Bambuco", "Pasillo", "Merengue" and "Cumbia" may be heard. These Colombian melodies are well known abroad, as well as the folklore dance groups. Sports and Entertainment In Colombia it is possible to practice most sports from mountain climbing to aquatics. Cycling, football, baseball, basketball, boxing, swimming and riding are very popular. Bullfighting attracts large crowds. Colombia's extensive coastline facilitates all kinds of fishing. The country's fauna is among the most varied in the Americas, and hunting is excellent. The country has an active cultural and social life. Concerts, theater, local trade fairs and beauty contests are held all year round throughout the country. Colombia's people are cheerful and open hearted. It reflects on their hospitality, gay music and happy disposition. [See Table 1.: Population, Area and Average Temperature]