Police have dispersed opponents of Hugo Chavez's government after thousands demonstrated both for and against an education law that critics fear will lead to political indoctrination in schools.

Officers fired tear gas, a water cannon and rubber bullets to scatter opposition marchers on Saturday in Caracas, the capital, as they tried to break through a police barrier.

The law, approved by the largely pro-Chavez national assembly last week, orders schools to base curricula on "the Bolivarian Doctrine" - a reference to ideals espoused by 19th-century independence hero Simon Bolivar, such as national self-determination and Latin American unity.

Critics say Chavez uses the term "Bolivarian" to describe his political movement, and some believe his government intends to win over hearts and minds through classroom indoctrination.

Chavez says the law is necessary to change Venezuela's "bourgeois" educational system.

Tareck El Aissami, Venezuela's justice minister, accused the protesters of "inciting violence" by throwing rocks and other objects at police.

Health authorities said they treated dozens of people for tear-gas inhalation and at least 14 who were hit by rubber bullets or displayed other minor injuries.

Juan Francisco Romero, the interior vice-minister, said at least a dozen police were mildly injured.

Pro-government legislators deny the law aims at political indoctrination.