Hinchliffe, J. (2011, December 13). Camila Vallejo voted Chile's person of the year. The Santiago Times.
Retrieved February 25, 2012, from http://www.santiagotimes.cl/chile/education/23070-camila-vallejo-voted-chiles-person-of-the-year
Walker Elliott Rowe discussed in his article "Could the Chilean Winter become the Prague Spring?" in The Santiago Times from August 18, 2011, the student protests that had taken over the country and still continue. In Chile, the elementary and secondary schools are separated into three categories - public municipal schools, subsidized schools, and private schools. The subsidized and private schools, as would be assumed, are better financed than the public municipal schools. This is very evident in poorer towns/cities, where the public schools often do not provide adequate resources to its students.
The tuition students pay to attend public universities also is a problem in the nation. Rowe reports that the average cost is around $6,000 per year. Even though that amount is not as high as what students pay in other countries, especially at private colleges and universities, it is difficult for many students to pursue a postsecondary education. Many people in Chile are earning minimum wage, which is not enough for students to afford attending college/university.
Problems in the education
system, in the areas of both elementary/secondary and postsecondary,
has caused students, along with other supporters, to protest in the
streets. The demands include changing the admissions process, which
includes the University Selection Test (PSU) entrance exam, more
state-funding for education and free university education in general.
Some universities have even been closed during this school year due to
the protests. Camila Vallejo, pictured above, has been a leader in the
movement as the president of the University of Chile Student Federation
(Fech) (she lost her re-election campaign in November). Marches, public
demonstrations, and other forms of protest have dominated the student
movement.When I first read this article, I was surprised that I had not heard of this movement before now. I consider myself very knowledgeable about current events in the news, but this story, to my understand, has not received much media attention. Student protests, especially ones that resulted in riots and the use of tear gas, would presumably be front page/top of the hour news stories. However, I do not believe many Americans are aware of the problems faced in Chile in regards to education.
It is easy for students from any country to understand the issue of tuition, especially with the cost of a postsecondary degree increasing every year. Students from California to England have protested increases in educational costs. I remember watching the news just over a year ago when English students attacked Prince Charles and his wife's car during protests to tuition increases in that country. Students at public and private colleges/universities alike await the news of the following school year's increase in tuition and fees. As the economic downturn has continued on over the last several years, these increases have been more difficult for students to accept. The problem has been taken to the extreme in Chile.
Over the next several months, it will be interesting to follow the activities of the Chilean government. Many people are wondering if it will implement any of the requests the student protesters have called for during most of previous year. Issues related to education, especially tuition, are important for all students to follow, no matter where such events are occurring in the world.
Jenny
Article -
Rowe, W. E. (2011, August 18). Could the Chilean winter become the Prague spring? (Walker Elliot Rowe). The Santiago Times. Retrieved February 25, 2012, from http://www.santiagotimes.cl/blogs/146-walker-elliot-rowe/22259-could-the-chilean-winter-become-the-prague-spring-walker-elliott-rowe
Map - http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/samerica/cl.htm
Other Related Articles -
- Hinchliffe, J. (2011, December 13). Camila Vallejo voted Chile's person of the year. The Santiago Times. Retrieved February 25, 2012, from http://www.santiagotimes.cl/chile/education/23070-camila-vallejo-voted-chiles-person-of-the-year
- Pedigo, D. (2012, January 27). Chile's year of protests reveals greater challenges for 2012. The Santiago Times. Retrieved February 25, 2012, from http://www.santiagotimes.cl/opinion/editorial/23317-chiles-year-of-protests-reveals-greater-challenges-for-2012
- Pedigo, D. (2012, January 4). University entrance exam reveals continuing inequality in Chile. The Santiago Times. Retrieved February 25, 2012, from http://www.santiagotimes.cl/chile/education/23160-university-entrance-exam-reveals-continuing-inequality-in-chile
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