In-person classes resume this Wednesday, October 21, in the Metropolitana, Antofagasta, Coquimbo and O'Higgins regions, the Ministerio de Educación (Mineduc, Chile's Ministry of Education) announced on Tuesday afternoon. What remains unclear is whether the Región de Valparaíso is also resuming activities, because sources disagree.
According to T13, the Mineduc announced the return in five regions, including Valparaíso. However, the same outlet later noted that up to that point the Government had not announced the resumption of classes in Valparaíso. La Nación repeated the five-region version, citing T13.
The Mineduc's official post on X mentions only four regions. The ministry wrote that classes resume in the Metropolitana, Antofagasta, Coquimbo and O'Higgins regions, and asked families to check directly with each school in case of particular situations. Chilevisión reported the same list.
On Tuesday the 20th, authorities suspended classes in 49 comunas in five regions as a preventive measure ahead of the frontal system. According to Chilevisión, meteorologists had identified that day as the most difficult of the event.
In Valparaíso, the suspension covered 16 comunas (Chile's municipal districts): Los Andes, Calle Larga, Rinconada, San Esteban, Catemu, Putaendo, Santa María, Cabildo, Petorca, La Ligua, Quillota, La Calera, Quilpué, Villa Alemana, Limache and Olmué. The sources do not specify what criteria each school operator will apply in those comunas.
The return in the capital comes amid adverse weather conditions. Chilevisión reported that, as of the close of its story, the Región Metropolitana (the Santiago capital region) remained under a red alert, with rain forecast for Wednesday and a chance of thunderstorms.
Until the Government clarifies the situation in Valparaíso, the official recommendation for parents and guardians in the 16 comunas is to check announcements from the authorities and each school's channels before sending their children.
