Summary.
The draft bill proposes to amend Article 64 of Law 47 of September 24, 1946, which concerns the organization of the regular education subsystem and its first level of instruction, general basic education. Its purpose is to establish an entry condition for preschool education for children who have not yet reached five (5) years of age when the school calendar begins. The heading identifies the provision as part of the organic law on education and refers to its amendments and additions under Law 34 of July 6, 1995, Law 50 of November 1, 2002, Law 60 of August 7, 2003, and Executive Decree No. 305 of April 30, 2004.
The proposal establishes a grace period of three (3) months beginning with the school calendar regulated by the Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación). During that period, children who have not yet turned five (5) years old could be enrolled in preschool. Enrollment is conditional on a psychological examination by the psychopedagogical office or a preschool teacher to determine the student's competencies. Article 3 places the grace period in the proposed wording of Article 64 and expressly connects it to entry into preschool (kindergarten).
The proposed wording of Article 64 retains the description of the regular subsystem as systematic formal education for children, young people, and adults, with participation by the family unit. It also provides for education, through formal and nonformal modes, for people requiring special education. The subsystem would follow the country's educational goals, purposes, objectives, and policy in accordance with its supporting legal framework.
The proposed article organizes the regular subsystem into three levels. The first is general basic education, which is universal, free, and compulsory and lasts 11 years: preschool for children from four (4) to five (5) years of age, lasting two (2) years; primary education lasting six (6) years; and presecondary education lasting (3) years. Within preschool, it provides for the admission, during the grace period, of children who have not yet turned five (5). The second level is secondary education, which is free and lasts three (3) years. The third covers higher education, including postsecondary, nonuniversity, and university education. A paragraph provides for the gradual implementation of free and compulsory preschool education according to the State's actual capacity.
Article 4 identifies the amendment to Article 64 of Law 47 of September 24, 1946. Article 5 provides that the proposed law would take effect on the day following its promulgation. Its provisions concern the Ministry of Education, psychopedagogical offices, and preschool teachers, as well as educational institutions, families, and children approaching kindergarten entry age.
What it proposes.
- Preschool entry age.
- Grace period for kindergarten enrollment.
- Assessment of competencies for early entry.
- Organization of the regular education subsystem.
Who it would affect.
- Children who have not yet turned five (5) when the school calendar begins.
- Families seeking preschool enrollment.
- Psychopedagogical offices and preschool teachers.
- Educational institutions offering preschool education.
Key points.
- The draft bill seeks to amend Article 64 of Law 47 of September 24, 1946, concerning entry into preschool.Art. 1
- It proposes a grace period of three (3) months from the start of the school calendar for enrolling children who have not yet turned five (5).Art. 2
- It makes that enrollment conditional on a psychological examination by the psychopedagogical office or a preschool teacher to determine the student's competencies.Art. 2
- It incorporates the grace period into the rules for the first level of instruction and entry into preschool (kindergarten).Art. 3
- The proposed Article 64 organizes the regular subsystem into general basic education, secondary education, and higher education.Art. 3
- It provides for the gradual implementation of free and compulsory preschool education according to the State's actual capacity.Art. 3
- It identifies the amendment to Article 64 and provides for entry into force on the day following promulgation.Arts. 4-5