Chilean university students continue their demands for education reform

Record ID: 896344

  • Title: Chilean university students continue their demands for education reform
  • Date: 21st June 2017
  • Summary: SANTIAGO, CHILE (JUNE 21, 2017) (REUTERS) DEMONSTRATORS THROW OBJECTS AT TEAR GAS TRUCK, TRUCK FIRES TEAR GAS VARIOUS OF WATER CANNON SPRAYING PROTESTERS TO DISPERSE THEM VARIOUS OF TRUCKS FIRING TEAR GAS AT PROTESTERS WATER CANNON BEING USED TO DISPERSE PROTESTERS DEMONSTRATOR STRIKING TRUCK WITH FLAG CLOUDS OF TEAR GAS IN STREET DEMONSTRATORS HITTING TRUCK WITH FENCES TRUCK FIRING TEAR GAS TO DISPERSE PROTESTERS PROTESTERS HITTING TRUCK WITH FENCES TRUCK FIRING TEAR GAS DOGS BARKING AT PROTESTERS WHO THROW OBJECTS AT RIOT POLICE RIOT POLICEMAN THROWING OBJECT BACK AT PROTESTERS VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS THROWING OBJECTS AT TEAR GAS TRUCK DOGS CHASING TRUCK TRUCK LEAVING SCENE / CHILEAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PROTESTING ON ROAD
  • Embargoed: 5th July 2017 19:41
  • Keywords: Chile President Michelle Bachelet education reform
  • Location: SANTIAGO, CHILE
  • City: SANTIAGO, CHILE
  • Country: Chile
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016M83J9F
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Hundreds of students marched in the Chilean capital of Santiago on Wednesday (June 21) to demand improvements to the nation's higher education system.
    The demonstration was peaceful until a group of hooded protesters tried to remove papal fences and block the Alameda avenue, to the north. Police fired tear gas from a truck, while demonstrators threw objects at them. Water cannons were also used to try to disperse the protesters.
    Student protesters argue that attempts by center-left President Michelle Bachelet to improve quality and access to higher education have been insufficient. Reforms by her government to date do not provide enough Chileans with free university education, they say. They also complain that the government did not seek their advice when drafting legislation.
    The action demonstrates the difficulties Chile's next round of leaders will have in maintaining popular support in a nation where confidence in politicians is low.
    In November, Chile holds presidential elections. The current frontrunner, conservative Sebastian Pinera, has indicated that he will roll back recent educational reforms if elected, preferring a system of scholarships to free tertiary education for poorer students.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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