On Thursday, thousands of students flooded the
streets of Chile on Thursday in one of the largest demonstrations demanding
free education. The people of Chile believed the education system is out of control
and the government is not doing anything about. These students have been
protesting for years in order to change the education system that is better for
them. After two years of student marches that have paralyzed Chile's major
cities and generated expectations of change to a troubled system, the crisis
over education reform remains a key electoral issue ahead of November's
presidential election. However, Thursday’s protests were mostly peaceful.
Students waved flags, chanted slogans and danced in the streets. "Chile is
one of the most segregating countries when it comes to education," said
Bachelet, who is widely seen as the center-left's opposition best hope of
winning the election. Fighting visions of Chilean education appeared during
Gen. Augusto Pinochet's 1973-1990 dictatorship. Chile's schools were free
before Pinochet introduced privatization and ended central control and funding
of primary and secondary schools. Public education in poorer districts suffered
even as a voucher system directed billions of dollars in public funds to
privately-run high schools. Many Chilean families bore these burdens for years
before student activists gave them a voice.
I am glad that the Chilean youth are speaking up and
standing up for free education. For some years now, they have been suffering
from the education and system because outrageous loan rates and high pay for
private schooling. I am saddened by the decisions the government is making on
the funding for schools and the resistance to free public education. I pray
that one day the Chilean government act accordingly and provide education for
all. This fight will not be done until free education is granted, nothing less,
nothing more.
Bria Broadway 04/12/13 5:05pm
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/04/11/chilean-students-stage-widespread-protests-demanding-education-reform/
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