Diario las Américas., 1958-07-17
Know thy
Nei9hbot
By ANTONIO RUIZ

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URUGUAY - Continued -
Primary secondary and university
education in Uruguay are all alb
solutely gratis Illiteracy is low,
the lowest in Latin America, since
attendance in the lower grades is
compulsory. Owners of large "es-
taneias (ranches) are compelled
to maintain schools on their lands
for the children of the vicinity.
Each level of education is direct
ed by an autonomous council. The
professional schools of the Univer-
sity are rated high internationally.
Other types Of schools include
night schools, special classes for
rapid advance schools for retard-
ed children, vocational schools for
cripples etc. Physical education
centerS r numerous, the program
calling for one center for each 5,
600 inhabitants.
A highly literate country, Uru-
quay encourages all forms of Gull
ture. Government directed institu-
tons and groups promote intense
and varied activities. The country
has produced many notable social
scientists, as well as authorities on
exact and physical sciences. Colo
NAL literature was largely limited
to scientific, educational and reli-
gious themes. In the 18th century,
Juan Zorrilla de San Martin pro-
duced the poem "Tabare" a vigor-
Gus description of the wilderness,
primitive Indian rites and the
Spanish conquest. considered to
be one of the genuine epics of
America. Other noted writers of
the country include Javier de Via
ma, Carlos Reyles, Jose Enrique
Rodo, Juana oe Ibarbouru, and
many others.
Although progress in agricul-
ture, cattle raising, industries, edu
cation and literary work have
been great Uruguayans are espec-
tally proud, and with good reason,
of their political institutions and
government organization, for the
progressive South American ma
ton is outstanding for the enlight.
ened character of its political in
stitutions, as well as the material
progress of her people. The Re-
public is unusual in that the Gov
eminent plays a leading role in
many fields, the State being en-
gagged in a variety of activities,
chiefly through independent agen-
cieS set up ana responsible to the
State. Interesting to note is the
fact that these agencies are com.
pletely removed from politics.
There is real democracy in Uru-
quay, based on the recognition of
liberties rights and respect for
the human being; political or reli-
gious movements denying these
rights do not find fertile ground
in the country. Each citizen has
the vote, freedom Of speech, and
access to the press. Under the new
Constitution, the Executive Power
is vested in a National Council of
nine members, somewhat similar
to that of Switzerland. The mem
beers are elected every four years
by direct vote and the Presidency
of the Council is rotated annually.
Legislative Power is delegated to
Congress - the Chamber of De.
puties and the Senate Judicial
Power, independent of Congress,
is exercised by the Supreme Court.
Social legislation in Uruguay is
of the most advanced, and the
country has been called "the social
laboratory of the Americas, since
many Of the social measures we
have today in the Hemisphere
had their origin there. The eight.
hour working day, for instance,
was established in Uruguay long
before it was adopted in the Unit.
ed States.
Among the many benefits en-.
joyed oy Uruguayans are: State
responsibility for family welfare,
protection of infants and small
children moral and civil respect,
prohibition of usury. retirement
and old-age pensions at all social
levels, labor laws covering accid.
ents occupational diseases, unem.
ployment insurance, salary con-
trolls, compulsory paid vacations,
extra payments for support Of
children etc.
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