More than 1,800 Santiago schools will not have classes today

SANTIAGO.- Just days before high school students are scheduled to end demonstrations at various Santiago schools; today more than 1,800 educational institutions in the capital city will not hold classes due to a strike organized by the Teachers´ Association.

The metropolitan regional Education secretary, Victor Schuffeneger, indicated that, according to ministry estimates, almost 80 percent of the educational establishments within the Metropolitan Region have joined in on the demonstrations and will not have a normal class schedule today, since they will use the day to reflect upon the Simce exam results for 2007.

In light of the situation, Schuffeneger stated that he is hoping teachers will arrive at schools to perform a detailed assessment of the achievements and shortcomings of the aptitude test.

Schuffeneger also stated that the today’s day of reflection aims to determine the deficiencies of each school and pinpoint the best way to overcome them in the classroom, adding that it is crucial to concentrate on improving the quality of national education.