Chilean teachers one day strike

In an action which paralleled similar action by Australian teachers, 
Chilean teachers took national strike action on September 30. More than 
3,500 Chilean teachers marched and rallied in Heroes Square (La Plaza de 
los Heroes) in Santiago.

The demands of Chilean teachers are also similar to their Australian 
counterparts.

Some demands had already been agreed to by the Chilean Government as long 
ago as 2000 but not yet implemented.

1  A reduction of the number of students per class;

2  No education fees. Guaranteed free access to education for all;

3  The elimination of fast-track teacher training which goes against the 
students interests and results in the poor quality of education;

4  The right to full employment and against casualisation;

5  A pay rise of 11.7 per cent annually over four years.

The Teachers' Union estimated that 80 percent of teachers participated in 
the national strike while the government claimed that only 25 percent took 
part.