Both students, professors, and other education workers have confirmed that they will be attending protests nationwide in Chile to demand equal education for all.

A large protest has been planned in the capital, Santiago, starting at the Plaza Italia, as well as smaller demonstrations all over the country.

Today’s action is seen as a continuation of protests over the education system that have been ongoing for over a year. The so-called the ‘Chilean Winter’ or ‘Chilean Education Conflict’ has seen violence on the side of both the protesters and the riot police attending the events.Tear gas and water cannons have been used to disperse the marches as well as police dogs and officers with batons.

Since June 2011 over 40 demonstrations have been organised demanding reform of the current educational system. While changes have been made to the university system, lowering interest rates of credit that students use to pay fees and other costs, there has been no significant reform of high school education.

While the day’s action is not limited to high school students only, it is they who have led the protests over the last 12 months. In preparation for the national protest students have been demanding that they be allowed to attend events without it damaging their education. Demands such as the rescheduling of exams, and new teaching material have failed to be successful so far. Students at the ‘Alcántara Cordillera’ school in La Florida ‘took over’ demanding that they be given permission to attend demonstrations.

Although the movement has calmed down considerably since this time last year, organisers have promised that the initial revolutionary fervour will return with the national action today.