RN deputy Diego Schalper met with opposition lawmakers to soften amendments in the 'Escuela Protegida' bill, upsetting UDI members. President José Antonio Kast's government introduced the project in the Education Committee, proposing to bar university gratuidad for those convicted of serious crimes for five years. The measure, long pushed by gremialistas, faces cross-party resistance.
Four government officials attended the Chamber of Deputies' Education Committee to debate the 'Escuela Protegida' bill, which sets safety, order, and respect measures for the educational community, alongside another to increase sanctions for school violence.
Ministers María Paz Arzola (Education) and José García (Segpres), with undersecretaries Daniel Rodríguez and Constanza Castillo, met resistance from the left and unexpectedly from RN. RN bloc leader Diego Schalper, after the session, met with deputies Juan Santana (PS) and Héctor Barría (DC) to agree on amendments softening the bill, particularly the university gratuidad restriction for those convicted of crimes against life, integrity, property, or public infrastructure for five years.
Schalper stated: 'It seems fundamental to have broad support. For that, we need to talk and find agreements'. Ximena Ossandón (RN) said cases should be analyzed individually, focusing on family responsibility. Minister García replied: 'We are open to taking up the indications you make'.
UDI voiced discontent. Bloc leader Flor Weisse lamented negotiating with opposition first, and commission president Sergio Bobadilla questioned Schalper's approach: 'If he goes to the opposition first, it not only creates a politically dishonest attitude'. Ricardo Neumann (UDI) called it contradictory. Historically, UDI has pushed this restriction unsuccessfully in budgets and prior motions.
