Venezuela Faces Student Malnutrition and Teacher Shortages, NGO Denounces

Venezuela's education sector is grappling with alarming levels of student malnutrition and a critical shortage of teachers, compounded by widespread suicidal thoughts among children and youth, a recent report by the NGO FundaRedes reveals. These issues stem from the nation's deep-seated economic crisis, which has severely impacted public services and infrastructure over the past decade.

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The school feeding system is not functioning.

FundaRedes' national investigation, conducted in the first half of this year, found that malnutrition affects up to 80% of children attending public schools. The organization's president, Javier Tarazona, stated that the school feeding system is not functioning. He also highlighted that 56% of the student population experiences suicidal thoughts, warning that authorities are not adequately responding to the crisis they are causing.

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There are levels that lead you to have thoughts like that, and the authorities are not paying attention to what they are causing.

Beyond malnutrition and mental health concerns, the education system suffers from chronic deterioration in school infrastructure. In the Táchira state, 60% of schools show signs of decay, with 80% lacking access to potable water. Furthermore, a staggering 74% deficit in teachers plagues public schools, as many educators seek better opportunities abroad due to "humiliating salaries." Tarazona called for the resignation of the Minister of Education, Héctor Rodríguez, citing incompetence and corruption.

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The least he can do is resign along with his group of incapable and corrupt individuals for not responding to the demands of this country.