Mario Aguilar, president of the Teachers' Union, welcomed the government's increase in police patrols around schools but criticized the absence of fundamental measures against school violence. Security Minister Trinidad Steinert announced more frequent patrols at high-risk schools following incidents like the fatal attack in Calama.
School violence in Chile has intensified since the fatal attack at Liceo Obispo Silva Lezaeta in Calama, with over 60 schools suspending classes due to threats of massacres or shootings.
On Saturday, Security Minister Trinidad Steinert announced more constant and effective police patrols by Carabineros around high-exposure schools. "We are acting," the minister stressed, declining to specify locations for security reasons.
Mario Aguilar, president of the Colegio de Profesores, deemed these measures appropriate in areas with prior incidents. However, he warned: "Fundamental measures are not appearing, and increasing police rounds, installing detectors, or checking backpacks alone will not suffice."
Aguilar called for efforts in containment, mental health, curriculum review, and more support staff. He also rejected a 3% cut to the education budget: "This will directly impact the possibility of more personalized work."
