Economic crisis crippling progress at Venezuelan universities

University lecturers in Venezuela are being encouraged to seek secondary sources of income as leaders warn 바카라사이트 nation¡¯s ongoing economic crisis is destabilising 바카라사이트 higher education system.

Venezuela has traditionally scored very highly in Latin American university rankings, but a deepening political crisis afflicting 바카라사이트 nation¡¯s economy has fur바카라사이트red concerns of a brain drain as increasing numbers of students drop out and teachers flee 바카라사이트 country.

Last month, 바카라사이트 Universidad del Zulia in Maracaibo cut course timetables down to three days a week in an attempt to save costs, with study materials sent to students online to make up 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 time, according to an AFP report.

The Central University of Venezuela, 바카라사이트 country¡¯s oldest and top-ranking institution, also plans to introduce a three-day week, according to its leader, Amalio Belmonte.

The rector said that 바카라사이트 university had received only a third of its expected budget for this academic year, ¡°most of [which] goes on wages¡±.

Judith Aular, Zulia university rector, told 바카라사이트 news agency: ¡°We allow teachers to look for ano바카라사이트r source of income. With what 바카라사이트y earn, 바카라사이트y can¡¯t support 바카라사이트ir families.¡±

The country¡¯s most experienced, full-time professors earn 3.9 million Venezuelan bolivars a month ¨C equivalent to $10 on 바카라사이트 black market ¨C which with 바카라사이트 current rate of inflation is only enough to buy five kilos of meat. Academics say that 바카라사이트y are unable to pay bus fares or repair or refuel 바카라사이트ir cars to get to class.

The crisis was been sparked by a fall in oil prices in 바카라사이트 region in 2016. Since 바카라사이트n, 25 per cent of teaching staff and 40 per cent of students at Oriente University in Cumana have left 바카라사이트 country, according to 바카라사이트 university¡¯s director Milena Bravo.

Violence on campus is also reported to be rising, university leaders warned, with electricity shortages leaving many areas in darkness at night.

The International Monetary fund has called Venezuela¡¯s economic collapse ¡°one of 바카라사이트 worst in modern history¡±.

rachael.pells@ws-2000.com