Sandinistas Keep Promise Of Free Education, Health
The re-establishment of free education and medical assistance, one of the campaign promises of present Sandinista President Daniel Ortega, is coming into fruition in Nicaragua.

In the case of education, new Minister Miguel de Castilla told school directors it was prohibited to receive payments for registration, scholar materials and other services or devices.

Parents will not have to pay the quotas requested during recent years as contributions for reparation of those institutions.

As a result of the measures to guarantee free education, an increase of registrations is expected beginning in the 2007 academic year that starts in late January.

Nearly a million children were prevented from accessing the educational system because their parents could not afford the costs demanded by the public schools, and they will be immediately inserted into the national teaching system.

In order to face the possible wave of students, the Nicaraguan Education Ministry intends to hire 900 new teachers and non-degreed personnel will support teaching activities if needed, Castilla pointed out.

The lack of facilities will not hamper the development of the process as they are ready to put schools under trees or awnings of the sports fields until the needed centers are built.

Another important measure is the announcement of the elimination of private health services in the country s public hospitals.

Patients will not have to pay for medicines, surgery or clinical tests within the state centers, the Health Ministry confirmed.