MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Mock referendum in Chile confirms massive support for education reform
A massive turnout of voters (‘hundreds of thousands’) responded in support of a non binding plebiscite organized by the Chilean professors union in the midst of the students conflict, one of the most serious challenges faced by any Chilean government since the return of democracy in 1990. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesI think if the 'plebicite' asked 'the people' the question “Is it the Government's duty to protect you from rioting on the streets?” the vote would closer to 100% - but what would this really say?
Oct 10th, 2011 - 10:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0The four question posed were like “do you like apple pie and the American Way of life?”
Come on, guys, reality check needed.
Geoff, I agree the questions are loaded. If they asked people where they would like the government to cut back spending in order to pay for free education from kindergarten to university, it might be more valid.
Oct 10th, 2011 - 11:18 am - Link - Report abuse 0In my experience, Chileans overwhelmingly seem to agree that the education system needs reform to allow for more equal opportunity. There are people getting very rich off government money by running private schools. Whilst the entirely free schools have underpaid, undervalued teachers and offer sub-standard education.
In a country so firmly welded to the idea of a free market economy, I cannot see that the education system will fall entirely under state control. But how the government funds are distributed needs reform.
I visited a foundation in Santiago that sponsors students through university. The average cost is $10,000 per year for a minimum of 5 years. The length of time it takes to attain a bachelors degree surprised me as it is 3 years in the UK. The reason given to me is that the standard of secondary education is generally poor so it takes 5 years for students to reach the international standard for a bachelors degree. It seems obvious that improving standards at secondary level would have a beneficial effect.
Another factor to be considered in the lack of will to change is that banks in Chile make a lot of money from loans for further education.
And it is also worth considering the political divide at play in this dispute.
A Question for all our Mercopress posters:
Oct 10th, 2011 - 12:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Where would YOU like the government to cut back bona fide spending in YOUR country in order to pay for free education for all from kindergarten to university”
Pretty relevant, as NO country in the world does this, could afford this, and would operate without a private education sector.
Surely Chilean 'students' are not trying to take their Socialist Revolution one stage further than present North Korea or past Pol Pot's Cambodia.
Perhaps they are trying to succeed where Bolivarian Chavez and Castro failed so spectacularly.
We have the same type of questions going on here with the democrats polling “ Do you want Millionaires and Billionaires to pay more taxes?”, 70% say Yes. The question might as well be “Do you want anyone but YOU to pay more taxes?” I am sure they will get the same response, 70% Yes.
Oct 10th, 2011 - 12:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It is so aggravating.
It is so sad to see how people can be easyly convinced about some crazy ideas, just a “candy” is needed for them to bite it......how is possible that government decisions must be taken with a plebiscite, in that case there should be no government and the people shall take decisions for everyhing in that way.....a communist idea that doesn't work, people elected the goverment which can be good or bad but people shall respect decisions of government that they elected. This guy Gajardo is extremely communist which of course is no good for our country.....it is so unpleasant to see how turns thing the other way round. Students believe that they have the world in their hands but it is not, and of with their little life experience can not realize it and less when they have leaders that just use them for politic purposes........and again must say it is sad to see that. saludos
Oct 10th, 2011 - 02:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@5 You are right about students generally having ideals but no life experience to set them against. I think students should test the status quo and challenge the system but ultimately the elected government has to run the country. I wonder how many of those students voted?
Oct 10th, 2011 - 02:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Chile has seen the pendulum of political ideals swing dramatically in recent history and there are some deep wounds, distrust and extremes of political views at work behind what should be a positive reform of the education system. It would benefit the development of the country to improve the education opportunities of the future workforce.
these farcical comments made by from saxon origin societies is very very normal.....
Oct 10th, 2011 - 02:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0let's look at some realities what says ...
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enrolment rates ... US :92% .....UK :89 % ....Chile : 82 %
school years ... US : 12.4 .... UK : 9,5 .....Chile : 9,7
adult literacy rates ... US : 94,2 .... UK : 96,8 .... Chile : 96,9
..............
internet users(per 100) ...US : 75 .... UK : 76 .... Chile : 32
as we see that saxon countries' kids are more obsessive on internet..
of course that debt back payments can not be realised by internet using.
Dear Ndaxi: if the government need to agree whit the people, plebicite is the rigth tool to know what will people have.
Oct 10th, 2011 - 02:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0When we use plebiscite was for solve the Beagle situation, and Government call all citizens, and we say YES- everyone was happy, end of point.
I think real problem you most face is because you has the money for free education, but spend in others items, such defense, whit cooper funds.
You have 6 months - not a few days- whit claims...I think students force the situation and win for a change-
We receive a lor of students of Chile, Peru, Bolivia.....and european countryes too, but students from Chile came here for cheapest ways to find a good quality of education, even payng spends to live here!! (rent, food, etc.)
I think you can provide the same for your people, no one can loose money, only Defense loose a litlle and banks finish their bussines whit chilean students.
Cordiales saludos,
Rosarino, not sure the budget is the real issue, because even the nominal education budget in Chile is already higher than in Argentina(and we don't even consider thelarger Arg. demographic aspect!).
Oct 10th, 2011 - 03:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0A cut on defense is not necessary, but a reform in a different manner:
Argentina's Education Budget 2010:
6150 Million USD (24.558 Million pesos)
http://noticias.mecon.gov.ar/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/boudousintesispresupuesto_190909.pdf
Chile's Education Budget 2010:
8000 Million USD
http://noticias.mecon.gov.ar/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/boudousintesispresupuesto_190909.pdf
Argentina / 2010
Oct 10th, 2011 - 05:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0enrolment rates .... 89 %
school years ... 9,3
adult literacy rates ... 97,8 %
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internet users ( per 100 people ) ... 28 %
4 yankeeboy “ Do you want Millionaires and Billionaires to pay more taxes?”, 70% say Yes”
Oct 10th, 2011 - 05:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Freddie, Right wing republicans love America until it's time to pay taxes or send their children to fight wars. The wealthy in your country need to pay at least the same percentage as those who are not wealthy. What's unfair about that?
http://www.cnbc.com/id/44582317/MoveOn_TV_Ad_I_m_Warren_Buffett_s_Secretary
Socialist demands - free education, free medical but private sector capitalists must pay for it. The copper price is dropping like a rock, China dont buy anymore so where must the budget come from for free education in Chile? Socialism everywhere - latest example Venezuela -did not improve education but infact retarded the process. Second grade education means nothing. The private sector (capitalists) employ the graduates - unless you want to earn peanuts for proffesional degrees like in most socialist countries or alternativeley train people to emmigrate to where they are appreciated. Do you honestly believe that private education has no place? Viva La revolution - Che fucked up Cuba for half a century with the revolution. And the youth wants more of this instead of using democratic means to achieve changes? This exercise is going to destroy all the prosperity that Chile has worked for over decades.
Oct 10th, 2011 - 06:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Dear Rosarino, thank you but let me insist.
Oct 10th, 2011 - 07:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0For the government, the only reason for making a plebiscite is to take more popularity from the people.....but it is not the right tool, just wonder rosarino how many people from thoste that vote have the right and correct information for a responsible vote?? just imagine the % of distorted votes of people that followed the wrong idea just becasue the “socialist politics” gave them a “candy”, on this case the “Free education”,....I belive that there is no way that you can give them the power to take any kind of major decition.......Plebiscites shall be well used as you said on “beagle” issue or for us when chileans must take the decition about pinochet goverment if he shoulf continue or not.....on those cases the “Plebiscite” Tool is very well used....but not on this case, people is not enough prepared to modify a reform....because people simply don't know what it means.....me included.
slds
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