Student Council at Lastarria High School in Providencia Claims Political Persecution by Authorities

Student leaders at Lastarria High School in Providencia are alleging political persecution following their recent protests. They reported that school authorities threatened them with expulsion protocols and suspended one student representative.

In an interview with El Ciudadano, Jorge San Martín, president of the Student Council, stated, «We are in a critical moment in national politics, where we are experiencing reforms and a restructuring of educational concepts, making education more akin to a consumer good. We have taken a stand to fight against this trend.»

«However,» continued the student leader, «we have reverted to a situation where students are repressed and not heard. In the Municipality of Providencia, it has been declared that no occupations or protests are allowed, a restriction reminiscent of the times of Mayor Labbé during the protests of 2011 and 2006,» detailed San Martín.

The student explained that «Providencia previously embraced a framework where eviction was avoided, favoring dialogue. Now, we are facing new evictions and repression, and we are being threatened with expulsion or sanctions simply for exercising our right to be heard and advocating for dignified, quality public education,» the student representative asserted.