Resumo

GARCIA-GUADILLA, Carmen. Polarization and tensions in higher education in Venezuela. Rev. iberoam. educ. super [online]. 2012, vol.3, n.7, pp.3-22. ISSN 2007-2872.

This article presents an analysis of the situation of higher education in Venezuela focused on the existing polarization and tensions in the country, in particular in this century. It reviews the difference between public policies in the first and second presidential term of Hugo Chávez and describes that the strong tensions between the players of the first and second term are reflected, among others, in the dismantling of the Alma Mater program. The higher education system consists of different dimensions that represent interconnected central themes; the author considers that the most important ones are: autonomy, accountability, income, financing and institutional differentiation. Based on these core subjects she submits a series of reflections that could be useful in the different possible scenarios to create a national higher education system that responds to the needs of all sectors in the country, since education should not be a government policy, but a State policy with the involvement and responsibility of society as a whole.

Palavras-chave : higher education; polarization and tensions; scenarios of higher education; Venezuela.