Minister Rodríguez: 2026-2027 school year begins with more than 6 million students across the country

Published at: 11/09/2026 05:50 PM

From the José Ávalos High School in Caracas, this Friday, September 11, when offering an official assessment of the process of reintegration into classrooms, the Minister of Popular Power for Education (MPPE), Héctor Rodríguez, reported that the 2026-2027 school year will begin activities with more than six million students throughout the country.

Rodríguez specified that this figure represents sustained growth compared to previous periods: Five million 500 thousand students in the 2024-2025 school year and five million 900 thousand students in the 2025-2026 school year.

He noted that the goal is to reach seven million students, and that 80% of the expected growth corresponds to the initial education population. For this reason, the opening of five thousand new preschool and nursery classrooms has been proposed, in order to guarantee access and avoid dropping out of school during the educational journey.

“An effort is being made to make up for school time. Children's school time is sacred. If school time is not respected, all the content that is planned cannot be given to children,” he emphasized.

He assured that this expansion is part of public policies aimed at strengthening the national education system and ensuring that no child is left out of school.

Rodríguez also reported that the facilities that functioned as Transitional Camps after the double seismic event of last June 24 are fully recovered and equipped, through joint work between the public and private sectors.

In that regard, he stressed that schools now have waterproofing, painting, renovated laboratories and operational kitchens, to ensure optimal conditions for the return of students.

It also reported that more than 86,000 students have been rezoned to ensure educational continuity while national repairs and the delivery of 14 new schools are progressing.

“Just days after returning to the classroom, the Ministry's commitment not to rest until every school in the country is an optimal, dignified and safe space for children and young people is reaffirmed,” the publication states.

Rodríguez called on parents and representatives to be guarantors of the attendance of boys and girls in classrooms. “We need them to actively participate in the education of their children, their grandchildren, their nephews,” he said.

He also stressed that the Venezuelan State continues to work to protect and improve the conditions of teachers and educational institutions. “We are not going to rest until all schools are in better condition,” he said.