A Broad Abroad: American exchange students join in on the Chilean education protests

Today, class included going to a march for more accessible and higher quality education. Considering that we have been studying the Chilean education system and the demands of the student movement, it fit perfectly into our curriculum. The biggest fault in the Chilean education system is that it is highly privatized (in theme with the rest of Chile) and it reflects/strengthens the class structure. Similar to the US, students who are from middle or high class families have the opportunity to attend high performing public schools or private schools while everyone else is left hanging. However, in Chile, public schools have less resources while the federal government takes less responsibility for the performance of the schools. The students here are fed up. They have decided to take over their schools (both universities and high schools) until the government responds. Some student are taking part in hunger strikes to show their passion.

The students, along with the support of professors and other sectors of the country, are asking for universal education through university. Their specific demands include more accountability from the federal government, a new system to train professors, greater financial support, and removal of the credit system many students use to finance their education. In reality, the students have made 21 requests, but many of them are vague in nature.

Here is an article on the protests if you want more information.
This article shows a lot of images of innocent people being tear gassed, but I don't want anyone to worry. I have only felt tear gas from a distance and there are ways to attend protests and avoid the violence that often occurs near the end.

Honestly, watching the events here has made us American students question why the streets of cities in the United States are filled with enraged students. Our system has many of the same problems, along with some of our own, and yet people sit idly by. The California public university systems are charging students more and more every couple of months while directing less resources towards each student. And yet, there is little to no response. Why is the youth of Chile more willing to stand up and fight? They have been arrested and tear gassed and continue to rally in the streets.

Today was an awesome experience. The passion of the students was obvious and they were joined by people of all generations and walks of life. It was incredible to see 12-year-olds fighting for the future of their country. I don't even know if there are many American 12-year-olds willing to dedicate a significant part of their day to a social cause.

I love seeing people like this at student marches. It's not like their education will get cheaper or not, they just realize how crucial education is in a society.