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Education reform in Chile; ¿Cómo va?

“It’s clear that this administration began without clarity about the content of the educational reform package, about its timetable and with even less clarity about its priorities,” Jorge Navarrete, a political analyst, says.

 Second opinion;

"At its root, Bachelet’s proposal is contradictory, immature and lacks intellectual and technical ingenuity"

     --José Joaquín Brunner, scholar

So, just what was proposed by the Bachelet Administration?

... in May, Education Minister Nicolás Eyzaguirre decided to begin discussions with one of the nearly 10 legislative proposals in the reform package: the law that would prevent individuals from earning profits on public resources. The measure, which would affect 1.9 million students, would put an end to selective enrollment in subsidized private schools and abolish co-payment – the monthly fee parents pay for each child.

The government recognizes that beginning with this particular proposal was a risky strategy. Although it is the centerpiece of the reform package and one of the main concerns of the student movement...

 Never a good idea, pandering to noisy students.

...the administration did not take into account the potential pushback it might inspire in various sectors. Critics include opposition leaders, certain lawmakers from the president’s New Majority coalition, the Catholic Church and some middle-lower class voters. In the last few months, parents and managers of subsidized private schools – where most Chileans study – have criticized the measure publicly. Some have held demonstrations.

Wouldn't that be--pardon the expression--counter demonstrations? Polling says that 52% of Chileans like having the ability to choose the schools their children attend, even if it means paying out of pocket for it.

Bachelet got elected by saying, 'I'm not that hated Pinochet.' Now she's learning that Pinochet bequeathed prosperity and democracy to Chile.