The University of Chile Student Federation (FECh) celebrated its 120th anniversary with a carnival in defense of public education, according to Emol. Its president, Laura Mlynarz, said the student movement is coordinating with various unions in response to education budget cuts.
The event brought students and families together in the Baquedano area of Santiago. It included a parade of floats along the Alameda and musical performances outside the university's Main Building.
"Of course the student movement is coordinating, organizing with the various unions so we can move forward not only in putting our agenda forward, but above all in defending what we have already achieved through mobilization," Mlynarz said.
The student leader listed three concerns: the reduction in state universities' core budgets, changes planned for 2027 in the provision of computers to seventh-grade students, and the reduction in teaching hours.
She also criticized the fact that the Federation had been unable to meet with the Minister of Education. "Since the government took office, we have requested an opportunity for dialogue with the Minister of Education to learn about the executive branch's agenda in this area, but unfortunately we have been unable to have it," she said. The report does not include a response from the Ministry.
Mlynarz highlighted the national scope of the Confederation of Chilean Students (Confech). She recalled the October 1 mobilization, which she said brought together more than 25 thousand people in various cities under the slogan "not a peso less for public education".
The president welcomed the University of Santiago's participation in the carnival and said she hoped other universities would join. She warned that the cuts could limit students' access to education, cost teachers their jobs and affect children who need early childhood education.
FECh reorganized in May, following a period without leadership, and its leaders called for more students to join the public discussion.
Confech and FECh are discussing plans for the rest of the year and for 2027. The schedule takes into account consideration of the Budget Law and the public sector pay adjustment planned for November. "We hope the executive branch can listen to all educational communities, that is, rectors, students and academics," Mlynarz said.
