Chilean students take to streets over education budget and school conditions
Secondary school students marched through Santiago on Thursday, November 5, to protest against what they describe as cuts to education and worsening conditions in public schools under President José Antonio Kast’s government.
The demonstration, known as the “mochilazo”, was organised by the Cordon Secundario, a group representing students from public secondary schools. Protesters raised concerns about deteriorating school infrastructure, poor study conditions and the potential impact of adjustments to the 2027 education budget, currently under debate in Congress. During the march, hooded individuals clashed with Carabineros and threw incendiary devices, prompting several metro stations to close their entrances.
The government says its education policy prioritises early childhood education, while Education Minister María Paz Arzola acknowledged that the sector’s budget would not increase in real terms in 2027. Teachers have also criticised the planned end of a computer programme for seventh-grade students and cuts to public education support. The College of Teachers has called another demonstration for 14 November.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
