Bolivia for Church-free Classrooms
The Bolivian Urban Education Workers Union (CETUB) announced Thursday that they will propose to put an end to private schools and religious teaching, in a dialogue with the government.

The proposal union proposes one only school, under one ministry and free of charge. The idea is considered more radical than the one presented by the government, last July, in a teacher's congress, according to professors.

Arnoldo Osinaga, one of the leaders of the confederation, said that the project called "To rescue the homeland" will be delivered next week in the meeting with vice president, Alvaro García, on the educational reform being prepared by the government.

Among the main proposals of urban teachers is the elimination of private schools and public schools sponsored by the Catholic Church.

The teachers also demand that religious education in the schools teach about all religions and not only promoting the Catholic faith, as happens now.

The government plans sparked fiery reactions of the Catholic hierarchy and conservative sectors that accuse the government of going against Catholicism, a charge denied by the president.

"Education must be secular if we want it to be scientific", the teacher's document points out.