Background 2006 student protests in Chile

a banner in occupied school reads loce loser

the organic constitutional act of teaching or loce (act nº 18,962) enacted on march 7, 1990, , came force on march 10, last day of pinochet s 16½ year dictatorship. despite being criticized both students , teachers ruling coalition (concertación), has remained largely unmodified since restoration of democracy.

critics of loce point out reduces state s participation in education solely regulatory , protective role, whilst true responsibility of education has been transferred private , public corporations (public schools being managed local governments — municipalidades), reducing participation students, parents, teachers , non-academic employees had enjoyed in schools.

during 1990s, 1 of main objectives of concertación administration so-called educational reform. 1 of main pillars of reform, launched during eduardo frei ruiz-tagle administration, jornada escolar completa, jec (full-time school day policy) — plan increase hours high school students spend in classrooms (in many cases not increasing number of additional classrooms , other infrastructure required). however, many consider quality of education has dropped worrying levels despite high level of government spending on public education. studies have showed jec still has not been correctly implemented nor has achieved desired results.

since 2000 new demand has emerged respect transport system s school pass , new university selection test, , although progress made in areas, core of students demands have remained unsolved of 2006.