education

Students Protest

Proposed cutting of classes in the fine arts, history, religion and other subjects provoke students.

JORGE FERNÁNDEZ/LA PRENSA

outspoken: Students from the Universidad de Panamá hold a banner reading: "Panamanians: Do not allow the arts to be an elective subject in the schools. Let's fight together."952370

In the words of 1957 Nobel Prize for Literature winner Albert Camus, "If the world were clear, art would not exist," which suggests the importance of artistic expression to understanding the world.

Almost a century later, the expression sticks in the mind of Samuel Robles, director of the Asociacíon Nacional de Conciertos, who yesterday went to the Facultad de Bellas Artes at the University of Panama to support the students who object to the implementation of a plan they say would limit their educational opportunities in the areas of physical education, fine arts, music, religion, history and other subjects.

According to Robles, "Art develops one´s capacity for analysis," an opinion shared by dean of the fine arts faculty, Carmelo Moyano. The reduction or elimination of class hours in the arts and humanities is practically an attempt against the cultural life and integrity of all Panamanians.

One of the first groups to protest the proposed changes in the university´s curriculum was the School of Physical Education. Just yesterday, protesters from the school shut down a section the Panamerican Highway for 45 minutes in a show of their disapproval of the proposed plan.

Their petition was heard. Hours after the demonstrations yesterday afternoon, minister of Education Belgis Castro announced the revocation of the polemical measure put forward by the ministry. She now proposes holding a national dialogue to discuss the subject.

"Educational subjects must be discussed," Castro said, "every time one recognizes that something has come apart, that the content of courses taught to educate Panamanians has come undone."

Yadira Pino, secretary of the organization of the Asociación de Educaciones Veragüenses, said that despite the ministry´s suspension of its plans, the fear persists that at any moment they could be reinstated.