In August, Vice President and Minister of Education, Salvador Sanchez Ceren announced a program to supply two school uniforms, one pair of shoes, and a set of school supplies to every public school student in the country. This new program will aid 1,360,000 children.
In addition, the FMLN has broadened the existing school meal program. Previously, the program was offered only to children in rural areas with high levels of poverty. It has now been expanded to include low income families in urban settings. The expansion adds over 450,000 children.
The FMLN’s policies of universal inclusion are a stark contrast to those of ARENA. During the lead up to the March presidential elections, radio reports from rural communities in the northern departments of Chalatenango and Cuscatlan, accused ARENA candidates of offering fabric for children’s school uniforms in exchange for votes. These election bribes are symptomatic of ARENA’s actions through out their reign. Their supporters were rewarded and opponents left wanting, increasing the already wide divide between those living above the poverty line and those below.
Photo from CISPES www.cispes.org
