By Paula Buzzi
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
SANTIAGO, Chile –The Chilean government’s efforts to improve Chile’s deteriorating education system have proved ineffective for some. In response, the Chilean Students Federation and the Teacher’s Association took to the streets once again on Thursday to demand public education.
- Student movement rejects government proposal. (Photo Courtesy of National Turk)
Over the past month, more than 200,000 people have participated in organized protests held on the streets of Santiago. Protest organizers claim that such mass protests are necessary to grab the government’s attention and put education reform high up on their agenda.
Education Minister Joaquin Lavin responded to the strike earlier this week by drafting the 75 million USD “Public University Education Revitalizing Fund;” an act which some believe to be a superficial solution to the education crisis. Additionally, Lavin has moved up winter break by 12 days, claiming that the shorter winter break will allow students to make up the class time they have missed while being on strike.
Some protestors, however, are not satisfied with Lavin’s response, claiming that the government’s recent action reflects its inability to solve conflicts. Many are demanding an end to for-profit education fueled by the unstable market. Jaime Gajardo, president of the College of Professors, believes educational policies must be redesigned. “We cannot continue on this path of privatization,” he tells CNN Chile.
Other groups in support of public education include: The Center Labor Federation (“CUT”), the Communist Party, and the Allende Party of Socialism (PSA).
CUT president, Arturo Martinez, defended his position to join the mobilization based on the fact that the high cost of education is being funded by working families.
For more information, please see:
Associated Press — Chile moves up school vacations as protests rage —29 June 2011
Inside Costa Rica — Chile: New National Strike against For-Profit Education — 28 June 2011
Escambray – Deeper Reforms Are Needed, Chilean Students – 27 June 2011
El Universal — Protestan en Chile 20 mil estudiantes —24 June 2011
CNN — Chileans rally in capital to demand better education policies — 16 June 2011
