Minister Jiménez: Educational performance reflects social gaps

SANTIAGO. -   After learning of the PSU results –which indicate that 94% of students coming from private high schools obtained over 450 points, while only 58% of students from public high school were able to do the same- the Minister of Education, Mónica Jiménez, has acknowledged that “the most important variable” with regards to the results of the aptitude test continues to be the socio-economic situation of the students´ families.

“The only thing this shows us is how our society is organized, the levels of performance in Education (on the SIMCE and the PSU tests) reflect large social gaps”, the official stated during a conversation with Radio Cooperativa.

Jiménez went on to indicate that “the only thing they (the results) are showing us is that we need to work harder to reach those who have less and that we need to invest more in the children that have fewer resources”.

When asked about the fact that only five municipalities comprised 45% of the national PSU scores, the Minister of Education stated that the country in general and particularly Santiago is very segregated.

“These results make me anxious to support the State’s efforts in the municipalities and sectors that need the most help”, she stated.