Chile’s new education minister on April 17 reaffirmed his government’s commitment to a dramatic overhaul of the country’s school system that would turn back the tide of privatization and profit-making in education.

“The pursuit of profit is not a good objective for educational institutions,” the minister, Nicolas Eyzaguirre, told reporters. “It is not a good ally of a good education.”

Eyzaguirre’s views reflect those of the country’s new president, Michelle Bachelet, who took office in March. Bachelet was also the president from 2006 to 2010.

Elected in part on the promise of expanding affordable, quality education, Bachelet has proposed reforms that would increase public spending on education; expand free primary education; and end state subsidies for private schools and for-profit universities.

Bachelet’s government has said it will submit a package of reform bills to Congress by May 21. It proposes to pay for the reforms by increasing the country’s corporate tax rate from 20 to 25 percent.

The Economist, April 5
Reuters, March 31, Dec. 16
The Santiago Times, March 26