BOGOTA, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Colombia's education minister said Tuesday that the government will watch those students who might be recruited by rebels after the army reported that fighters are infiltrating the country's higher education centers.

    "The effort needs to be led by the universities, where we will strengthen student welfare programs," said Cecilia Maria Velez. "We need to follow up on students and their professional futures to prevent them joining guerilla groups."

    Guerrillas have been prevalent in Colombia since the 1960s, some beginning with student movements and others with peasant rebellions against landowners for land theft and abuse of political power.

    The minister said intelligence had indicated worrying data about the presence of armed groups in both public and private universities.

    "This is why we will insist on a campaign that strengthens young people's social values," Velez said.

    Colombia's largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), is also Latin America's largest guerrilla group with a 17,000-strong force. Rescue efforts are on going as the group demands the government release its jailed members in exchange for dozens of hostages it has kidnapped.