Public Education Cannot Be Protected by Cuts or Surveillance: Student Protest Against Kast’s Government Agenda

El Ciudadano

Original article: La educación pública no se protege con tijera ni vigilancia: secundarios rechazan agenda del Gobierno de Kast

High school students have raised their voices against the agenda of José Antonio Kast. Through a public statement, student centers from public high schools in the Metropolitan region expressed their opposition to the «Protected Schools» bill, which proposes the checking of backpacks, bags, and personal belongings at school entrances, alongside budget cuts impacting the Ministry of Education (Mineduc).

The document, created from assemblies and internal participation spaces, includes student communities from prominent institutions such as Instituto Nacional and liceos 1 Javiera Carrera, 4 Isaura Dinator, Manuel Barros Borgoño, Carmela Carvajal, 7 José Toribio Medina, Experimental Artístico, Confederación Suiza, Aplicación, and José Victorino Lastarria, and was disseminated during a new «Student Backpack Protest» in Santiago against market-driven education and budget cuts imposed from La Moneda.

In the text, they indicate that violence in school environments is an urgent reality needing attention, yet they challenge the focus of the proposed law under discussion in Congress, deeming it insufficient and counterproductive «for centering primarily on control, surveillance, and punitive measures, without addressing the structural causes holistically.»

«The initiative takes on a punitive character that not only limits its effectiveness but could also exacerbate conflict dynamics within educational communities,» they stated.

Furthermore, they criticized the plan to implement measures such as backpack checks, raising serious concerns about their real effectiveness and «the implications for rights, fostering distrust towards students and allowing for arbitrary practices.»

In their statement, students expressed concern over the lack of clear definitions within the bill, specifically regarding terms like «dangerous object» and the absence of detailed protocols governing their application, which —they warn— could lead to disparate interpretations and potential violations of fundamental rights of children and adolescents.

Additionally, they warned that broadening disciplinary powers without clear criteria or effective supervision mechanisms raises concerns about risks of power abuse or unequal application of sanctions, highlighting an exclusionary approach that may impact students with special educational needs, neurodivergences, and diverse emotional contexts.

Moreover, they objected to restrictions linked to clothing and student demonstrations, which they fear could undermine freedoms such as expression and organization.

The document also emphasizes the potential negative effects of disciplinary measures on students with special educational needs, warning of possible exclusion scenarios. This includes restrictions related to clothing and the prohibition of class interruptions, which the student centers argue may affect freedoms like expression and organization.

They also criticized the punitive nature of the initiative and measures affecting access to educational benefits. «The potential loss of rights associated with higher education is disproportionate and disproportionately impacts students in vulnerable contexts,» they asserted.

“Regarding implementation, we foresee serious challenges: a lack of clarity in financing, increased burdens on teachers and staff, a shortage of specialized personnel, and infrastructure limitations in numerous establishments,» they elaborated.

Cuts to Mineduc Are a Regresive Measure

For the students, the 3% cut to the Ministry of Education’s budget implemented by Kast’s administration is a «regressive measure that does not take into account the current conditions of public education.»

“The magnitude of this reduction raises uncertainty regarding its real impact, especially in critical areas such as infrastructure, school financing, educational programs, and labor conditions for school communities,» they argued.

Concerning Circular No. 16 from the Ministry of Finance regarding the 2027 budget, which contemplates the adjustment or discontinuation of Mineduc programs, projects, and scholarships, they cautioned that it could lead to «a decrease in rights and opportunities for thousands of students, directly affecting their access, retention, and educational projections.»

“We assert that these measures could exacerbate the public education crisis by weakening its responsive capacity and directly affecting those who depend on it as their main development and social mobility tool,» they clarified, stating their firm rejection of any further cuts to Mineduc.

Educational System Challenges Cannot Be Addressed with Surveillance or Cuts

In light of this context, the high school students emphasized the need for greater transparency in adjustment criteria and for public education to be considered a strategic priority for the state.

«As public education students, we reaffirm that the challenges facing the educational system are not resolved through increased surveillance or resource cuts, but through more education, greater participation, and enhanced support for educational communities.»