In Chile this Thursday, students held their first official march of the year, demanding an education reform for their country. Students were marching in about a dozen cities throughout Chile. It was estimated that there were around 150,00 students marching in Santiago alone. The students were marching for a more equal and affordable education that they say should be available to all. The students say the system fails them poor public schools, expensive private universities, unprepared teachers and unaffordable loans. The march started off peaceful and fun, with some students waving flags, throwing confetti and playing drums. It lasted for about three hours until the police used tear gas and water bombs to clear out the crowd and over 100 people have been arrested. However this is not the first occurrence of a march over education, they have been going on for about two years in hopes of free education for their country. Currently Chileans are having to pay for 75 percent of their schooling out of their own pockets. The government's portion has only been enough for the brightest and poorest students in their country, leaving out everyone in between.
This is another great example of what we have been talking about in class regarding inequality in education. Although this is not a discrimination against a sex or race it's discrimination against the middle class of Chile. Just because the Chileans are not classified as "poor" does not mean they can afford to pay most of their very high tuition costs. Therefor the students are upset and have decided to take action in order to get their point across. They say education is a right so it should be free to all. They want a reformation of the education system, just like many other people around the world who are all calling for education equality.
Sarah Middleton
4/12/13
1:43
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/04/11/chilean-students-stage-widespread-protests-demanding-education-reform/
http://www.santiagotimes.cl/chile/education/25995-more-than-150000-take-part-in-chilean-education-march
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