Colegio en Toma

Photo from Roy Pequeno.

In most high schools the most important thing that a student councils usually accomplish in a year is putting on a dance. This year, in Chile the students have bigger dreams.

About a week ago, a lot of students decided to exercise thier rights and go on strike for a better education. Several students are leading a huge national movement in the hopes to get improve the educational system in Chile.

From what I understand (and I dont claim to understand a lot) are fighting for five items. Of the five I only know three:
1. PSU - similar to the SAT - The students are asking that those in a lower socio-economical level should be able to get a discount or take the test for free. 2. ESCOLARES: The students are fighting for free transportation on subway and buses.
3. LOCE - a law that has been in place for a while. Students want the government to make revisions to the law.

Students decided that they would go take over thier schools. Students have been living in their shcools and decorated them in interesting ways. One signal that a school is "en toma" is usually having desk and chairs blocking the entrances to the school (pictured above).

In the end, this movement has been making national news and the students are the most powerful people in Chile. Talk about an effective student council!