According to the union’s president, Carlos Díaz, the national strike will begin on Tuesday, August 29th, regardless of the talks and eventual proposals to resolve the conflict.

“That is the decision of the majority of the teachers nationally. We all assumed it because it is what corresponds,” said Díaz, referring to the assemblies that saw the participation of over 50,000 teachers, 53.6 percent of whom rejected the government’s response to a list of demands, considering the said response insufficient.

The teachers are demanding solution to the so-called historical debt generated during the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship (1973-1990), when teachers’ salaries were lowered, which also affected the pensions.

They also demand job improvements, the payment of overdue bonuses, an end to violence within school campuses and teachers overload, a review of the school workday, and changes to the education financing model.

The minister considered that there are opportunities to solve the situation through dialogue processes where the reactivation and recovery of learning are placed at the forefront.

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