Diario las Américas., 1958-02-22
Know thy
Nei9hLbor
Bv ANTONIO RUIZ

Ell SALVADOR - An nue.
Secretary of Education, in the
Ministry of Culture, heads the ma
tioral school program in Ell Sal
yador, Under him are the boards
of primary and secondary educa-
ton and a committee on physical
education In 1914, a special de-
partment was created to be In
direct charge of all rural schools,
as we'll as of an anti-illiteracy
campaign in the country districts
where the majority of the popula-
ton lives Special divisions of the
Department are in charge OF the
following matters: Circulating lib
raries, educational films, sheet mu-
sic and record libraries, school
theatre projects, home industries,
rural domestic economy, school
medical Inspection, and publlca-
tons.
The Government of Ell Salvador,
in its endeavor to make the school
system as adequate as possible for
the needs of its citizens, is assist
ed by the Association OF School
Patrons, a semi official organiza-
ton which raises money for such
purposes as school lunches, and by
the National Theatre Network,
whose motion picture houses, scat
tered throughout the Republic,
present programs with cultural and
educational emphasis, for modest
admission fees, the proceeds being
used to help support hospitals,
charitable institutions, and t he gen.
eral social welfare program.
Through the work of the National
Committee Of Physical Education,
a wholesome interest in outdoor
sports has been created.
Of the IS kindergartens in the
Republic, 81 are private and IA
are public institutions. Primary
education is compulsory in the
country. There are more than L.
800 primary schools, both public
and private, with a total enroll
ment of more than 100000 and a
teaching staff OF more than 1000,
The urban primary schools offer
a six year course, while those in
rural communities generally have
only three.
On completing the primary
course, students may elect n Of
three types of secondary schools
science and letters, normal, OF
business. Graduates of the first
type, which offers a five-year cur
riculum somewhat similar to thai
of high schools in the United
States, may be admitted to the
University upon passing a special
examination.
Normal school training Is pro
vided in two public and two pri
vate schools; which have a tota.
enrollmen, of more than 400 stud
ents every year. There are ovel
thirty business schools, with more
than $500 students.
Other types of technical instruc
ton are provided at the Nationa
Agriculture Institute, the Schoo.
of Graphic Arts, the Dramatic
School the School of Music, the Vo
cational School for Grisl, and the
Military School. all located in Sar
Salvador.
The National University of E
Salvador had its beginning in the
Colegio de La Asuncion, authoriz
ed by the Constitution of 1841
By 1847, the scope of the schoo
had been broadened, and facultie
of Law, Medicine, and Pharmac!
had been added. 1t has seen man.
changes since then, and in the frs
century Of existence had severa
temporary suspensions, removal t,
a new locale after a devastating
earthquake, and various vicissitu
DIES of administrative nature. To
day the University has faculties o
Law and Social Sciences, Medicine
Engineering and Architecture
Chemistry and Pharmacy, ant
Dentistry.