Clashes erupt during student protest in Chile

Clashes erupt during student protest in Chile

2011-11-20 00:24:45 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANTIAGO, CHILE (BNO NEWS) -- Thousands of students took to the streets of the Chilean capital of Santiago on Friday, despite ongoing negotiations between the government and students, local media reported on Saturday.

Security forces used tear gas and water canons to disperse demonstrators after the end of an initially peaceful protest. Masked youth reportedly attacked security forces with stones and other objects after the march ended outside Chile's Congress, the La Nación newspaper reported.

Thousands of students and teachers marched to press for educational reforms. The College of Teacher organized the rally to urge the Chilean government to give details about its plans to reform the education system.

Protesters are asking the government to explain the projects related to "demunicipalization," which consists of transferring control of public schools to the central government. After the incidents, government spokesman Andrés Chadwick only said the government regrets the violence.

Many Chilean students, along with teachers and other education workers, have been on strike for six months. They have been demanding a fundamental change in the educational system, an end to privatized education and asking for a government which can guarantee full access, quality and funding of public education at all its levels.

On Thursday, the students agreed to return to class as from next week while continuing their protests. President Sebastan Pinera's government has promised to introduce an education reform bill in Congress.

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