Police in riot gear used tear gas yesterday against Venezuelan demonstrators angry about a law that they believe could lead to the "socialist indoctrination" of the nation's schools.

Officers fired tear gas into crowds who were protesting in Caracas against President Chávez's plans to broaden state control over the education system.

Scuffles broke out as clouds of caustic, white gas wafted through the air outside the predominantly pro-Chávez National Assembly.

Inside, legislators began debating a Bill which would order schools to base the curriculum on "the Bolivarian Doctrine" - a reference to the ideals of the 19th-century independence hero Simon Bolivar.

After a marathon ten-hour session, the assembly — where Mr Chávez's party commands a majority — approved the Bill in the early hours of today.

But close to a dozen members sided with the opposition and walked out of the assembly in protest against the ruling party’s refusal to compromise on the Bill’s most contentious articles.

They were also angered when the Assembly President, Cilia Flores, accused them of obstructing the debate and ordered their microphones to be shut off.

“We decided to withdraw because they did not accept our proposals or recommendations,” said Juan Jose Molina of the Podemos party.

Critics fear that Mr Chávez’s government intends to win over hearts and minds through classroom indoctrination.

“They don’t use the word ’socialism,” said one of the protesters, “but that’s what they want to introduce in our schools.”

Hector Navarro, the Education Minister, accused opponents of “a smear campaign" claiming that the legislation would ensure equal opportunities and emphasise social responsibility in a poverty-stricken country.

The Ultimas Noticias newspaper reported that a group of its journalists were attacked by government supporters as they passed out leaflets warning against the draft law’s emphasis on teaching children “critical analysis of media content.” Thirteen people were injured, said Eleazar Diaz Rangel, the newspaper’s director.

Mrt Rangel, a former member of Venezuela’s Communist Party who maintains a friendly relationship with Mr Chávez, urged authorities to “investigate and determine who was responsible (for the attack) as soon as possible.”

“They shouted at us, saying we were ’defenders of the oligarchy’ while they beat us,” said Usbaldo Arrieta, one of the people attacked.

Representatives of the Roman Catholic Church oppose the Bill’s prohibition of religious teaching during normal school hours and have raised concerns that the new rules are ultimately aimed at weakening the Church’s influence in classrooms.

Mr Chávez has repeatedly clashed with leaders of the Roman Catholic Church since first being elected over a decade ago.

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