Education and Revolutionary Transformation in Nicaragua.

Overview & Synopsis

Since 1979, education has had a key role in promoting social change in Nicaragua. Toward that end, the education system is expected to contribute to: (1) the formation of a "new person," a more critically conscious and participatory citizen who is motivated by collective goals; and (2) the transmission of the skills and knowledge to overcome decades of underdevelopment and set the nation on the path of self-sustaining growth. This paper is a survey of education in Nicaragua before and after the revolution that overthrew the Somoza dynasty in 1979. During the Somoza period, half the nation was illiterate with more than three-fourths of rural populations unable to read or write. Like most Latin American countries, Nicaragua under Somoza provided extensive education at public expense to urban elites, but failed to provide more minimal primary education or even basic literacy to a majority of its citizens. The new regime, despite setbacks, constraints, and challenges posed by intensified external aggression against the Sandinista regime, has nevertheless carried out a successful national literacy crusade and a followup program of popular education for newly literate adults and youths. It still remains to be seen, however, whether the newly acquired skills and knowledge will contribute substantially to increasing economic productivity, better health, more adequate housing, and effective communal action. The reconstruction of the Nicaraguan education system is only beginning. (TE)