The Ministerio de Educación (Mineduc, Chile's Ministry of Education) and regional authorities suspended classes this Tuesday, October 20, in 12 comunas (Chilean municipalities) of the Región de O'Higgins, according to ADN Radio. The cause is the complications from the frontal system and the high risk of landslides reported by technical agencies.
The measure covers all establishments: nurseries, kindergartens and schools offering preschool, primary and secondary education. It applies to public, private and state-subsidized schools.
The affected comunas are Mostazal, Codegua, Machalí, Rancagua, Requínoa, Rengo, Malloa, San Vicente, San Fernando, Chimbarongo, Pichidegua and Coltauco. The list includes Rancagua, the regional capital, and San Fernando, capital of the province of Colchagua.
The Government and the Secretaría Regional Ministerial (Seremi, the ministry's regional office) de Educación explained that the decision seeks to protect school communities. The risk they cite is possible landslides, mudslides or flooding on access routes.
The official Government of Chile account also announced the suspension on X. According to a post by @GobiernodeChile, the preventive measure responds to the current climate emergency and the risk of landslides.
The source does not specify how many students are affected or whether the suspension will extend beyond Tuesday. Authorities asked parents and guardians to follow updates on the Mineduc website and on the social media channels of the Servicio Nacional de Prevención y Respuesta ante Desastres (Senapred, Chile's national disaster prevention and response agency).
